Orange and Vodafone sharing UK masts

Bit of quick news about Orange and Vodafone. They’re about to start sharing mobile mast locations. The benefits are obvious — greater coverage and greater efficiencies. I often wonder why the networks didn’t all club together a while back and start non-profit company that they each jointly own to oversee the management and maintenance of mobile phone masts across the UK.

Then I quickly recognise that commercial imperative is a very, very strong incentive.

Here’s the gossip on the news:

The two companies announced their intention to work together last year and are aiming to deliver customer, environmental and business benefits by establishing joint network efficiencies. The first stage of implementation will see Orange UK and Vodafone UK share existing 2G and 3G mast sites, with one site housing the equipment of both companies where previously two would have been used. Implementation will begin this year and will mean that half of the UK population – the combined customer base of both companies – will be able to make calls and use the mobile internet in more places than ever before.

As well as improving the quality of coverage across the country, the two companies will also have a smaller environmental footprint due to the fewer number of mast-sites needed. It is expected that the initiative will lead to a 15% reduction in the number of mast sites – almost 3,000 sites in total – in the first two years alone.

In a nod to the previously cited commercial imperatives, Orange and Vodafone will continue to maintain separate networks and full responsibility for quality of service. So to all the Orange customers out there hoping to experience a bit of Voda’s famous reliability… it’s not happening soon!