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Mobile Network Plans To Block Adverts On Devices

Mobile Network Plans To Block Adverts On Devices

A British mobile phone network is testing technology which could block many mobile adverts on devices connected to its network.

O2 is "actively testing" the technology that would sniff out and block adverts at a network level before they were served to the device, according to a report by Business Insider.

One ad-blocking startup, Shine, says adverts use up 10-50% of user's data plans, so blocked adverts mean the network would likely have to process less data.

O2 is owned by Spanish firm Telefonica, and is currently being acquired by rival Three to create a huge network to compete with the likes of EE.

It would be the first major attempt at mass ad blocking.

In the past two years the number of people using desktop ad blockers has risen from tens of millions to around 200 million.

Ad-blocking has long been seen as the preserve of internet experts who like to customise their browsing experience.

But the technology really entered the mainstream consciousness when Apple integrated it into its latest mobile operating system, iOS 9, this autumn.

Not all adverts would be blocked under O2's plan - just those that strain network infrastructure and use up data allowances.

Robert Franks, managing director of digital commerce for O2, said: "We are absolutely looking at (network-level ad-blocking) technology.

"We are holding ourselves to the highest standards with our own advertising. We are looking at these technologies to see if they can help our customers with some of the bad practices and disruptive experiences that are happening."

Earlier this week EE boss Olaf Swantee said that he wanted the company to give more control to customers over the number of adverts they see.