7/12/11 – Gizmodo UK readers are this week being given a glimpse into the future of super-fast mobile broadband as O2 trials its 4G network in London – several years before the technology is introduced nationally.
4G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the next generation of mobile technology, offering speeds around 10 times faster than a 3G network. It’ll revolutionise the way we connect, allowing for rapid downloading and streaming wherever and whenever we are.
But although 4G technology has already rolled out in the US and around the world, it’s not expected to arrive in the UK until at least 2013 – making O2’s nine-month trial an extremely early look at the future of mobile broadband.
Gizmodo UK, the British edition of the world-famous technology blog, has been selected as O2’s exclusive media partner for the trials. Its readers will be the first UK consumers to experience 4G connectivity.
Selected Gizmodo UK readers will receive Samsung B3730 mobile broadband dongles at the Gizmodo UK launch party, taking place at The O2 tonight from 6pm. 4G demos will also be available to all attendees at the event, along with gadget give-aways and the opportunity for the vibrant Gizmodo UK community to meet up ‘offline’ over drinks.
Over the next three months, the Gizmodo UK readers taking part in the trial will feed real-time performance data and anecdotal information back to O2, helping to improve understanding of the capabilities and benefits of 4G technology.
Kat Hannaford, Editor of Gizmodo UK, says: “We’re thrilled O2 chose Gizmodo UK for these landmark trials, and judging by our readers’ reactions, 4G is set to become the biggest new launch the UK market will have seen for years.
“The announcement of Gizmodo UK’s launch party, and the lure of 4G trials, saw our most-commented article so far with 400 comments to date, highlighting readers’ enthusiasm for not only the site but also O2’s exciting upcoming speeds.”
Rob Joyce, Head of O2’s 4G trial, says: “The announcement of our 4G trial has provoked real excitement around the future of mobile broadband networks, which is fantastic to see.
“Along with businesses and industry bodies, we want consumers and tech experts to get on board and really push our trial network to achieve its full potential. And who better that the readers of Gizmodo UK to do just that.”
Launched by Future in September this year, in partnership with US-based Gawker Media, Gizmodo UK had a fantastic first full month in October – with more than 450,000 unique users and over 4 million page views.
The success of Gizmodo UK and its stablemates, including T3 and TechRadar, have made Future the UK’s biggest technology publisher. Its print, digital and event properties now reach more than 5.1 million tech enthusiasts every single month.
ENDS
About Gizmodo UK:
Launched by Future and Gawker Media in September 2011, Gizmodo UK is the British edition of infamous technology site Gizmodo. Gizmodo UK celebrates gadgets and technology, science and smart design – all presented in its own unique voice, with vibrant user comment and discussion. Gizmodo UK is the ninth international edition of the site, with localised versions also available in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Japan, Australia, and Brazil; www.gizmodo.co.uk
About Future:
Future is a leader in the field of digital publishing and was named Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year at the annual Association of Online Publishers Awards – becoming the first magazine publisher to win the Award. Future also won the Grand Prix Award at the event in June. Its web and mobile sites deliver 160 million page impressions every month to over 25 million unique users*. Future delivers more than 100 digital editions and bespoke apps through the rapidly growing iPad platform and is developing product for new tablet devices coming on stream. Digital now accounts for a third of all Future’s commercial revenues. And its development of video on demand and apps is rightly regarded as market leading. Technology brand T3 is leading the way on iPad, becoming one of the top grossing apps in the UK and one of the very few five star apps in the world. The Future digital portfolio includes award winning and hugely respected brands including: www.techradar.com, www.cyclingnews.com, www.gamesradar.com, www.computerandvideogames.com, www.musicradar.com and www.bikeradar.com.
*source: comScore Digital Analytix, June 2011
For more information
Steve Wright,Communications Executive, steve.wright@futurenet.com or 01225 822803.
