Why is the Government in favour of roaming?
Any new entrants will initially only be able to offer 3G services over the area where their own network is built. However customers will also want at least basic voice services nation-wide. Without roaming new entrants with a limited geographical coverage would be at a significant disadvantage to existing operators which already cover most of the UK. Roaming will enable new entrants to offer services over a wide area while they roll out their own network. 3.
