4G networks could be coming to the UK next year

According to recent reports a subsidiary of the Hong Kong based telecoms firm PCCW is planning to bring 4G broadband to the UK as early as next year.

Over the past year or two many people have been eager to see 4G mobile broadband networks rolled out in the UK, but issues over spectrum and delays with the auction of the spectrum needed for the technology has resulted in the auction being delayed until early next year and the service itself delayed until 2013.

However, consumers and businesses may not have to wait as long as they originally thought following reports that a subsidiary of the Hong Kong based telecoms giant, PCCW, is planning to bring LTE based 4G broadband services to the UK as early as next year.

The network will come through the subsidiary of the telecoms giant, UK Broadband, but it claims that the company will first need to enter into negotiations with equipment manufacturers to ensure that they can produce devices that are able to operate on the relevant radio spectrum.

Nicholas James, the CEO of UK Broadband, said: “It is the company’s intention to launch a 4G service. We are currently working with our vendors to finalise the equipment offering on our spectrum. And we are finalising our network planning and our business plan.” The company is also reported to have stated in a recent letter to Ofcom: “Our recent work with … vendors indicates that LTE equipment is available imminently for our spectrum bands. We are therefore investing in and intend to commence the construction of a 4G LTE network in the UK in the second half of this year.”

Source – FT