The number ofwireless networksin the UK has
increased by more than 10% in a year because of rising demand for
mobile broadband, according to the Ofcom 2007 communications market
report.
Wireless networks are allowing more people to access the internet
on the move, said the report, and some 11.2% (7,800,000) of
mobile phones now connect to a 3G network (70% up on 2005 at
4,600,000). The report also shows the number of Wi-Fi hotspots in
the UK, which enable broadband speed wireless internet access, is
increasing. In April 2007 there were 11,447 hotspots compared with
10,339 a year previously.
By April 2007,
53% of the UK had a broadband connection. Headline broadband
speeds - the maximum advertised speed of a service - have doubled
over the past 12 months. The average blended headline broadband
speed stood at 3.6Mbps at the end of 2006 compared with 1.6Mbps in
the previous year.
By June 2007, this had risen to 4.6Mbps. "The increase in
headline speeds is due in part to continued investment and growth
in local loop unbundling which enables operators to install their
own equipment in BT's exchanges and offer broadband services direct
to consumers," said the report.
Ofcom will also auction the 192Mhz part of the radio spectrum in
the first quarter of 2008, which could pave the way for the
nationwide introduction of mobile Wi-Max into the UK. The regulator
will publish the terms of the auction later this year and is in the
process of finalising licensing terms and conditions of sale.