macnn
02/11/2008, 10:15am, EST
Monday, February 11th
O2: iPhone pushing 'unheard of' data use
The iPhone is generating "unheard-of levels of mobile Internet usage," according to Vivek Dev, COO of Telefónica O2 Europe, the sole carrier of the device in the United Kingdom. Web browsing and e-mail are two of the primary purposes of the iPhone, and O2 customers have unlimited use under current plans. Traffic is said to be so high in fact that it is straining O2's network, and this is only expected to become worse as the company switches to flat data fees. Voice and SMS plans were recently upgraded.
Partly to aid the situation, the company has announced a deal with NEC and Ubiquisys that should see a commercial release of femtocells by early 2009. Femtocells extend and improve the coverage of 3G broadband within indoor areas, where reception can otherwise be rough or non-existent. In O2's case this will have the benefit of redirecting some data onto DSL lines, where the company has more excess capacity. The iPhone does not currently have 3G, but a version with the technology is expected by the end of 2008.
Filed under: iPhone, networking
Other story tags: UK, O2, femtocells
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They should think about increasing their capacity though, based on sales volumes as opposed to individual usage. Usage peaks when someone buys a new handset, but then they calm down. It's the long term volume of iPhone sales they need to focus on in regards to their network capacity.