Ofcomplans to open up the the 2G
mobile spectrum to3Gmobile operators to help increase
coverage and access speeds and reduce operating costs.
In line with the existing European GSM Directive, the licences
for the 2G spectrum presently limit its use to 2G technology, which
supports voice calls, text messaging and low-speed internet
services.
Ofcom proposes to liberalise the use of this spectrum, by
removing the restriction to 2G. This will be required by a
forthcoming European Commission decision, which states that 2G
spectrum should be freed up for a much wider range of uses,
including high-speed mobile broadband services using 3G.
Two different bands are presently used for 2G: 900 MHz is used
by
Vodafone and
O2 only, and 1800 MHz is used by all four UK 2G operators.
Most benefits are likely to flow from the wider use of the
900MHz band. This is because it has a lower frequency than the
other band used for mobile services, making it particularly good
for providing 3G services in rural areas and delivering such
services inside buildings.
In addition, equipment using 900MHz for 3G services is now
starting to be manufactured.
And in particular, said Ofcom, future 3G services rolled out
using 900MHz would require far fewer mobile phone masts than if
higher frequencies were used.
It would be possible to build a high-quality mobile broadband
network covering 99% of the population using around 10,000 fewer
sites per operator, said the regulator.
For these reasons, Ofcom is proposing that some of the spectrum
currently used by Vodafone and O2 for 2G services should be
released for use by others in future.
An auction for this spectrum could be held as soon as 2009, with
the winners potentially able to use the spectrum from 2010.
Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said, "Our proposals are
designed to make more spectrum available for high-speed mobile
broadband services across the whole of the UK, and to ensure that
the UK mobile market continues to be one of the most competitive
and innovative in the world."