Mobile Network Comparison

Everything Everywhere – the parent company of Orange and T-Mobile – has just been granted an effective monopoly on 4G in the UK by governing body Ofcom. The network is already the biggest in the country and will only be helped by this latest decision.

Over the last few months, Everything Everywhere has been lobbying strongly for this concession but the decision from Ofcom has only just been announced. The claim all along has been that the much-delayed launch of 4G in the UK must be prioritised over all else. Somewhat predictably, Everything Everywhere have been trying to claim that it’s better to get some 4G services than none even if that provides them with a huge competitive advantage. Conveniently, the only company who thinks this is an acceptable side-effect – Everything Everywhere – is the company that serves to benefit the most.

What Ofcom has decided is that Everything Everywhere can use its existing mobile spectrum to roll-out 4G services. It can start doing this as soon as September this year although it claims that things won’t actually get started in reality until some time later. Everything Everywhere is able to use existing spectrum as it already has a glut of it after the merger of Orange and T-Mobile. In fact, altogether the company actually owns about half the spectrum in the country. All the other networks will be forced to wait until the end of 2013 at the very soonest.

Everything Everywhere’s rivals were quick to condemn the ruling. Three Mobile, who are buying some of EE’s spare spectrum claimed that the decision has “distorted” the competitive landscape in the UK and will be detrimental to mobile users. O₂ also were quick to claim that the ruling was unfair and damages the competitive environment. Even Vodafone used strong language in decrying the ruling insinuating that it will be bad for consumers as well as business and the UK economy as a whole. Obviously it’s hard to sympathise with Vodafone when they’ve dodged tax to the tune of £6 billion, but ignoring their hypocrisy, they do have a point.

What it means for users is that there will be a working 4G network in the UK some time in 2012. Unfortunately it won’t be available for many people as it will only be usable by Everything Everywhere’s customers on Orange and T-Mobile.

Everyone else will have to wait until 2013 for the wider Ofcom auction of spectrum for 4G communications. With the continuing faff around Ofcom’s mismanagement of the 4G spectrum auction, all the other networks will have to wait to get everything sorted. A non-trivial risk is that further legal action from the mobile networks about this latest decision for Ofcom will not only delay Everything Everywhere’s attempt to roll out 4G early but could also have a detrimental impact on keeping the already-much-delayed 4G auction to schedule.

In reality, only time will tell how Everything Everywhere’s monopoly will affect the mobile market. Do you think their massive headstart on 4G will make a big difference? Would you consider switching to a mobile network for 4G access? And what do you make of Ofcom’s decision?

By now many of you will have tried out the brand spanking version of Android 4.1.x named Jelly Bean. Just recently, we made a post outlining some of its most stunning new features. You may also have heard that, like previous versions of the Android mobile operating system before it, there is a hidden easter egg bonus to be found.

So, whanna know how to find it? Check out these instructions:

Instructions

• Go to the Android home screen by pressing the Home button.
• Press the Menu button and select Settings.
• Scroll down and select the About phone option (if you’re on a tablet, it will be listed as About tablet).
• Find the Android version infomation and quickly tap it repeatedly.
• You should be greeted with a large smiling jelly bean with short antennae. Long press it to access the easter egg where you can flick an infinite supply of jelly beans around the screen.

Check out the video below for a demonstration of how to find the easter egg and what to expect when you try it:

This isn’t the first time Google have included fun easter eggs on the Android version number screen. On Gingerbread, version 2.3.x, you have to tap for longer on the version number but you are finally presented with some zombie gingerbread man art by Jack Larson.

Honeycomb also has an easter egg in the same place. This time, after all that touchscreen tapping on version number 3.x you get a Honeycomb-style bumblebee that buzzes. And in Ice Cream Sandwich, version 4.0.x, you get an ice cream sandwich android which, when pressed, flies across the screen Nyan Cat style. You could call it Nyandroid, geddit?

What do you think? Did you find it already? Did you already know about the older easter eggs? And do you want some jelly beans now?

In our last post we talked about how to get a mobile phone that’s right for you and mentioned the Samsung Galaxy S2 as the powerusers’ first-choice handset. If you need to be always connected and to have the best possible phone in your pocket, it’s an amazing choice and easily one of the best phones in the world right now. Not only does it come with an incredible dual-core processor and a camera that will blow your mind but there are starting to be some great-looking accessories coming out too. Today, we’re going to look at the best ones available.

HDMI adaptor cable

Was £14.95 Now £9.95

This piece of equipment is extremely handy, it lets you display your phones screen image straight onto your HDMI television. Using this you’ll be able to watch HD films straight from your mobile, it works great as a media player and for just £8.95 this is a lot cheaper than the Samsung version, which offers the same features.

A must-have for movie addicts.

 

Extended Battery and Cover

Was £24.99 Now £21.95

Using this battery will give your Galaxy S2 a longer life. This is a 2000 mAh battery that gives at least an extra 3 hours of active use like calling, internet browsing or listening to music. That’s about a 35% increase in battery usage! With this you’re a lot less likely to end up in that nightmare situation of being stuck with a dead phone. The only downside is that the battery is a little thicker so it’s a bit bigger in your pocket and after you’ve put the cover on you may not be able to get any protective cases on afterwards.

For heavy phone users, this will prove to be a daily livesaver.

 

Case-Mate Tough Case

Was £24.99 Now £15.99

The Case-Mate is a great protective case for your Galaxy S2 – it fits perfectly, provides worthy protection, and has a nice look to it too.

The case does add to the weight and thickness to the phone, but that should be a small sacrifice for the extra grip and protection it provides. Even with the added size of the case, the phone is still small enough to fit in your pocket without discomfort. A great addition to own.

 

Accessory Pack Bundle

Only £20.90

This accessory pack gives you a lot of usability all in one with pretty much everything you’d ever need. Tt comes with a black leather wallet case, which works as a protective layer for your phone and a wallet at the same time. Everything sits neatly in the wallet and it means you only have to keep an eye on one thing when going shopping. It also comes with a hands-free car mount and car charger so you can use the handset on long road trips, and family can keep in contact whilst driving safely.

Along with all that it even comes with an extra 1800 mAh battery for some extra juice when out and about.

 

SGP Ultra Silke Case

Only £16.99

This series of cases offers a slick style to your Galaxy S2 while providing some extra protection. It’s thin enough to not feel intruding when using the phone, but sturdy enough to provide extra shock absorption if you do let it slip from your hands. It comes in a range of colors and adds a great sense of style to your handset. The case comes with some quality screen protectors which along with the case will help to keep your phone scratch and dust free.

A great looking case that also does its job to keep your phone protected.