Ofcom plans to speed up wireless

Ofcom has proposed biting into parts of the spectrum bands operated by Vodafone and O2 in order to make good on the government’s promise to provide universal broadband in the UK within the next four years.

The proposal would require the two mobile comms providers to relinquish parts of the 900MHz spectrum - where they operate 2G mobile services - because this particular band is better at providing high-speed services in buildings and in rural areas.

Ofcom claimed the move, which would see it auction off the released spectrum around mid-2010, will safeguard competition and create more opportunities for wireless specialists to innovate.

At the start of February the government announced a series of concrete proposals for its Digital Britain initiative, which put expansion of mobile and broadband services at the heart of the plans.