Phone giant O2 has announced plans to invest “hundreds of millions of pounds” into its 3G network.
The mobile operator, which currently supports the iPhone device, said that it needed to increase the capacity of the network in order to cope with the demands of the growing number of smartphone users.
By upgrading the network, O2 is hoping that it will be more capable of handling fast data transfers, something which is needed in order to get the most out of handsets such as the iPhone.
Derek McManus, chief technology officer for the firm, said: “Anticipating growth in demand for mobile services, we have quarter on quarter increased investment in our voice and data networks.”
Users of the iPhone can take advantage of the 3G network through the onboard internet browser, YouTube channel and other programmes such as TomTom’s satellite navigation application.
The battle for iPhone sales was recently heated up after Orange and Vodafone both agreed deals with Apple to sell the device.