3 hails nationwide video phone roll-out

UK mobile phone operator 3 today announced that it is to make its video mobile network available in an extra 50 cities across the UK.

From Monday 2 June video messaging services from 3 will be supported in cities in the North of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

While the coverage isn't exactly 'Lands End to John O'Groats', residents as far apart as Glasgow and Portsmouth will be able to exchange video messages with one another - and even include friends in Belfast, Leicester, Lowestoft and Whitley Bay.

However, it is worth noting that there are still large areas of the country which cannot support video messaging services.

Bob Fuller, co-CEO of 3 UK, said in a statement: “We have the best network coverage in the UK, our video mobile services are now available to over 60 per cent of the population. This is good news for our customers across the UK, who will now be able to see for themselves the benefits of video calling and all the additional services you can only get through 3G technology.”

3 will also be opening a further 800 outlets around the country as it attempts to steal market share away from the incumbent operators who have a considerable head-start on the fledgling firm in terms of user base.