UK Government unveils next generation mobile broadband plans

Under the new plans of government to improve the coverage and capacity of the mobile networks across the UK, the telecom regulator Ofcom will auction off those bands of radio spectrum required by the operators to deliver high speed mobile broadband using 3G and next generation technologies (4G) like Long Term Evolution (LTE).

3G services which currently provide mobile broadband access to UK customers will see some major changes getting implemented such as allowing the use of 2G spectrum bands of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz for 3G data communications and launching one time 3G licences to encourage the new entrants, the Government said.

“We want the UK market to remain at the fore of delivering devices like the iPad and smart phones but they need the networks to continue to improve and increase services.” the UK Communications minister, Ed Vaizey said, while announcing the new proposals.

Ofcom will carry out the combined auction of 2.1GHz and 800 MHz spectrum bands only by the end of 2011, after it has studied thoroughly the ‘future 3G and 4G markets, including the potential for new entrants’. he added.

The 800 MHz spectrum which usually carries analogue television signal but has become less and less used after switching to digital TV broadcasts, will be used for high speed, 4G mobile broadband rollouts such as one carried out by the LTE mobile network provider, Clear Mobitel in Cornwall.