I think 4G is still a fad. It will be for a good few years yet. Then it will become usable.

Until then it's really not that important or useful in the UK.

The fact is that only EE can offer 4G in the UK for the next year, and then 3 will be able to offer it aswell.

The bands that will be on sale next year arent supported by the iPhone 5 so the other networks STILL wont be able to run 4G on the iPhone 5 ever.

Add to this that now that the bands which are going on sale are now known, all future 4G devices will be designed to support them, we could see the iPhone 5 consigned to history as the only 4G device in which the 4G isnt really usable in the UK except on EE or 3.

There are 2 alternatives which are being discussed however. The first is that OfCom changes which bands go on sale next year, or that EE licence the use of the their network out to the other operators.

4G definatly isnt a 'fad'. That would be like calling broadband a fad. It'll just be interesting to see what happens when the sale happens next year though. In the meantime, EE customers get to play with all the fancy toys.

So true. All the news stories centred on Apple because they were the biggest and the easiest target, but it is a common story in China. Just about anything you buy that's made there (i.e. everything!) is made in similar circumstances. I had to edit a report for the ILO in the UN on this problem in the textiles industry in 2004 - same story then.

Fad is probably better changed to marketing hype currently. It's not especially useful in the UK but it being market by all tech/telco's as companies as the top feature. It will obviously come good, but it's not there yet.

Scrutiny and continual auditing does appear to help as does media attention, but where it's actually due and on companies than need to be held to task.

4G is not a fad at all just look at south Korea for example who have the quickest dsl connections in the world.

4G is definitely not a fad, or marketing hype. It's central to the operators' plans.

Data use is growing at 5x to 10x a year in the UK ... and the operators will all admit (on the quiet) that their networks are creaking now. In a couple more years time, if nothing is done, they'll have real problems.

The only solution is to get more spectrum and to use more spectrally efficient technologies. LTE is 4x to 8x more efficient (bits per sec per Hz) than current technology implementations.

Hence, once the networks are live, you'll see quite a lot of effort from the operators to shift high data users to LTE (which may only be a few percent of subs, but which will move a lot of demand, easing up the issues on the 3G networks).

Does it not worry you how completely Apple own your soul, when you can't even bear to see a joke made about them?

From what I have read, 4G will not be a fad at all. I remember reading similar about 3G when it was new, (EDGE would be sufficient or so some said!).

In respect of iphone5, the Ofcom auctions for the other parts of the spectrum are not due until Spring 2013 and even 3 (network) cannot start 4G until September 2013 (Part of the dealt when it bought part of EE's 1800MHZz spectrum).

So we are talking about 12 months until the 800MHz and 2.6GHz that O2/Vodafone etc will bid for are likely to be operational.

EE has promised 98% outdoor coverage for 4G by 2014. Vodafone told the BBC that by 2015 it aimed to offer 98% indoor coverage... (Note "Outdoor" and "Aimed")

The situation with EE, is similar to the near monopoly that O2 had when the iPhone first launched and was only available on O2. This time round iPhone5 will be on every network but only 4G on EE.

So every 4G Smartphone is currently in the same boat. (Either on EE with 4G or on the other networks with HSDPA/3G)

4G should be available on all UK Networks, just in time for the launch of iPhone5S though. Alternatively, apple may revise the radio chipset of the iPhone5S, (they have done similar in US for the different networks with iPhone4).

You all seem to be missing my intended point which given the numbers of people missing it means that I am not articulating it particularly well.

4G is obviously central and essential to mobile network connectivity as standards from CDMA through to GSM align. However the point I am attempting to illustrate is that it is not yet particularly useful in the UK. As has been pointed out by numerous people only TMobile and Orange currently have use of '4G' in very limited area's. The others may or may not depending on Offcom have '4G' in the near future that is usable with this model of iPhone.

People appear to be prioritising the presence of 4G on the device when in all likelyhood they will either have no network coverage in a 4G area for the majority of the devices use or their carrier currently cannot support it. By the time this changes I would say the next iPhone/Droid/Lumia will be out with its successor rolling through the door not long after.

Until then 4G is being bandied around in a manor which makes it appear as if it is highly useful and desirable today.

Hopefully the clarifies the point I was driving at.

Do you think I'll be able to pick up an iPhone 5 at the airport on Friday? It would have to be unlocked though

I believe this is wishful thinking!

Micah, you might be able to, I am hoping mine arrives on Thursday (apple's stuff often gets couriered a day early).... Can't wait

Apparently apple has pushed back the shipping date on all pre-orders. I've only read a headline though so I don't know by how much or who is affected.

Telegraph

Three still reckon I'm getting mine on Friday. Fingers crossed I don't get an email between now and then.

The Guardian indicate that it's those who wanted the unlocked version may suffer, although it claims UK suppliers are facing restricted supplies.

4g is going to be a threat to all fixed based residential operators. when its available via dongle.

PSTN is slowly becoming unused. So a 4g dongle connected into a usb port vs a fixed circuit with wiring and possible fault % higher.

It will be a telecoms battle lol

There's nothing in it for phone shops selling the handset only anyway, may as well chuck a juicy 24 month weight around the consumer's neck!

Strangely enough, Orange sent out their EE email tonight so I look forward to seeing what I can get, and when. As well as 4G, they'll be offering fibre broadband which is dead handy considering BT have just informed me that I can now get Infinity. I'm out of contract at the end of December so I hope there are some deals to be had. Exciting times!

EE claim you can sign up with either Orange or T-Mobile and then 'easily switch' to EE when available.

I'd be interested to find out just how easy it'll be as the small print at the foot of their website has a 'charges may apply' disclaimer.

I signed up to T mobile and was told that when 4G is available in my area I'd be offered it, which would mean changing tariffs and getting a new sim card. The chap said it'd either cost more per month or the same but offer less minutes texts and data. I'd imagine it'd be the former.

Oh yes, I'm sure there will indeed be a premium for this service. I notice they are only offering it on pay monthly too, so that scuppers my plans for a cheaper line rental next year. So long giffgaff, it's been a pleasant pipe dream...

The reviews are starting to arrive from people who have used the iPhone 5.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/5989/apple-iphone-5-phone-review

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/techno...eview.html?_r=0

To summarise... fawn fawn fawn...it has a bigger screen, is a bit thinner... fawn fawn fawn..err we can't think of much to say... fawn fawn fawn... oh yes its a bit faster... AND has a glass caremera lens cover. Ooops, just made a mess, must go change

A bit less fawning, then some fawning, it has a bigger screen, it is thinner, in fact very thin indeed. Must not forget it's faster, oh yes the guy abovge did not mention the panoramic camera feature.


Doubtless it's a good phone but it is not the biggest event Apple have hosted and I have yet to find any of my iPhone buddies willing to make the change.

Here's a good comparison table for anybody thinking of getting an iPhone 5 on contract

http://www.avforums.com/forums/iphone-5/1679132-iphone-5-uk-price-comparison-table.html

When you add it up like that (minimum of £875 over 2 years) seems like a lot for a phone. might jst settle for a mid range Android for £15/mth.

Typo corrected for you.

I really like the Windows Phone OS and OS8 looks great too, but it looks like i wont be upgrading to another HTC next year when my contract runs out. The new ones they've launched today look hideous! Like dodgy Nokia knockoffs.

Yup, they look like toys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf5-Prx19ZM&feature=share
Rather funny video on the new Apple release

How odd; this makes it sound as though the application wasn't thoroughly tested before being released. Surely that can't be true?

I think apple could be in a James Bond movie as the new Spectre !! Had a no kids weekend away last week, 2 other couples. So 6 of us in the lodge, there were 9 Apple products, 6 Iphones and 3 ipods!!! They are going to brain wash us all

And it seems record orders for the new one Can I have some more please

Can't wait for the apple fans' response to this...