Oh okay, I worked for APT who were the second largest independent cell site owner. At the time of the 2G and 3G rollout and I am guessing your wife was still in school then so may not actually know about the history of mobile rollout in the U.K. is the mid-late 90’s
I must know nothing about the market and how they work then. Maybe ask your wife to ask the engineers instead of the canteen staff ?