3 UK activated its 10,000th 3G cellsite on Friday night – and has another 3,000 planned for later this year. It says this gives its UK operation 92.75% population coverage.
The network is also currently consolidating its 3G network infrastructure with T-Mobile through its Mobile Broadband Network Limited mast-sharing joint venture. (It'll be interesting to see how that's affected by the T-Mobile/Orange merger).
Graham Baxter, 3 UK's Chief Technology Officer, said "Over the past two years the continued growth of internet communications, smartphone use and mobile broadband uptake have brought the need for good 3G network coverage into sharp focus for millions of consumers. Our network is already the biggest 3G network in the UK. Now we’re adding new coverage and capacity across the country to meet demand and bring the benefits of 3G to people who’ve never had access in their area before."