Apps causing data bottlenecks, not iPhones, claims O2 CTO

Having been forced to issue an apology last autumn when its London network collapsed due to data overload, O2UK claims it is now working closely with its infrastructure suppliers to improve the situation. 

However, the company's CTO, Derek McManus, was keen to stress that it wasn't Apple's iPhone that singly caused the network congestion problem, but the apps running on any of the smartphones supported by O2.

McManus said that O2 was planning to re-dimension parts of its network to be process orientated--dealing with the apps process, rather than volume orientated--dealing with the data process. "We have changed some of the ways elements of our network work. There are certain issues with manufacturers and the base stations that need to be smaller and closer to one another."

The CTO added that O2 was also starting to see the benefits of a £30m network investment made in London before Christmas as part of a Network Performance Improvement Plan which will see an extra £100 million spent in 2010 on infrastructure.

The company caused itself further embarrassment this week when it hastily withdrew a statement on its web site that video calls would be included for the 4G iPhone claiming it was all a big mistake.

For more on this story:
Mobile Today

Related stories:
O2's network in meltdown from smartphone usage
O2: the UK's largest operator, with the poorest 3G coverage
Smartphones causing network data overload, claims O2
High iPhone sales are a problem, says FT CEO