Orange and T-Mobile customers will soon be able to take advantage of faster web connectivity and data downloads thanks to the two companies sharing 3G network access.
The move, which comes into effect from next week, is part of parent company Everything Everywhere's "big switch-on" which has already seen the two make use of shared 2G signals to enable users to call and text in more locations than before.
Soon, more people will be accessing the internet on their mobile devices than on their PCs, and that means we need the right kind of networks in place to deliver the right kind of experience for our customers.
The roll-out will take place on a region by region basis over the coming months. Importantly, charges will remain the same for customers, rather than trying to split use between the two networks.
Everything Everywhere claims the shared network access is already proving a hit among users, with 41 million hours of calls being made and five billion extra texts sent since October 2010 - all taking advantage of access to the sister company's 2G signal.
"This is a significant achievement and demonstrates the latest milestone in our network vision and customer promise - to provide more things, to more people in more places than any other company in Britain," said Olaf Swantee, Everything Everywhere's chief executive.
"Customers are always on the move and demanding instant access to information wherever they are. Not only will customers be able to talk in places they weren't able to before, they'll also now be able to access the internet, social networks or download emails at improved speeds, in more places."
Last week Everything Everywhere teamed up with BT Wholesale to kick off a 4G trial in Cornwall.
The trial will involve some 200 local people - 100 testing mobile broadband and the other 100 focused on fixed-wireless - using 10MHz of test 800MHz spectrum. Testing will go on until early 2012.
"Soon, more people will be accessing the internet on their mobile devices than on their PCs, and that means we need the right kind of networks in place to deliver the right kind of experience for our customers," added Swantee.
"This next generation mobile network will allow individuals and businesses across Britain to access the people, places and things they want, wherever they are, whenever they want."
