4G spectrum should be used to improve rural broadband

An industry group has urged Ofcom to use the 4G mobile broadband auction to help improve broadband services in rural areas as part of a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity

A leading advisory group has called upon the UK’s communications regulator Ofcom to ensure that the 4G mobile broadband spectrum auction is used to improve broadband services in rural areas, describing this as a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity.

According to the Communications Consumer Panel (CCP) there are millions of people in not spot areas that are missing out due to the lack of mobile signals in their areas. The group wants Ofcom to use the auction to ensure that the reach of network coverage is improved across the UK.

Bob Warner, chair of the panel, said: “Most places that were mobile coverage not-spots ten years ago are still not-spots today. The spectrum auction presents perhaps the only chance we have in the next decade to improve coverage in the nations and for rural communities. The potential significant windfall to the Treasury from the spectrum auction presents us with the opportunity to do something about it.”

The CCP wants Ofcom to think about imposing minimum coverage requirements for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and some parts of the UK. It said that another option was to keep some spectrum from the auction aside and then hold a reverse auction where network operators would bid on providing upgrades to infrastructure at the lowest possible cost.