The UK could see 4G mobile data arrive this year after Ofcom approved plans by Everything Everywhere to use some of its existing spectrum to run LTE services.
The 4G auction process has been dragging out for years, with the sale of spectrum space at 800MHz and 2.6GHz not expected until the end of this year at the earliest, with services expected in 2014.
The sudden change of fortune for data-hungry mobile users follows an appeal from mobile operator Everything Everywhere, which asked for permission to run LTE services over its 1800MHz spectrum previously used for 2G mobile services.
Allowing Everything Everywhere to reuse its spectrum in this way is likely to bring material benefits to consumers, including faster mobile broadband speeds
“Allowing Everything Everywhere to reuse its spectrum in this way is likely to bring material benefits to consumers, including faster mobile broadband speeds and – depending on how Everything Everywhere uses the spectrum – potentially wider mobile broadband coverage in rural areas,” Ofcom said.
Ofcom said it had “considered whether allowing Everything Everywhere to use this spectrum in this way would distort competition, and provisionally concluded that it would not”.
Potential hurdles
However, rivals could still block the application from Everything Everywhere, an alliance of Orange and T-Mobile.
According to Ofcom, operators have until 17 April to comment on the consultation and could seek legal recourse to prevent Everything Everywhere from using the spectrum.
Although Ofcom told us that O2 and Vodafone, for example, were able to apply for the same permission using their existing spectrum in the 900MHz range, it is understood that they hold less spare spectrum and could mount a challenge.
Neither company has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Everything Everywhere's appeal follows claims last month that it was ready to roll out services by the end of the year.
“Everything Everywhere’s vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise,” said Olaf Swantee, CEO at Everything Everywhere.
“Subject to regulatory approval by the spring, Everything Everywhere will be in a position to begin the roll out of 4G before the end of the year.”
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