Ofcom pushes 4G spectrum auction out again: now to the end of 2012

Many of your friends are getting enviably faster wireless networks in their countries, right? May be you have experienced it yourself while being in the US, South Korea or some of the Scandinavian countries. They have already rolled out the fourth generation wireless networks, often pet named 4G networks.

Don’t fret. The UK will also be blessed with this 4G speed very soon as the telecommunications regulatory body in the country – Ofcom – is almost finalizing the terms and proposals for auctioning the 4G spectrum in UK. Though the auction was actually meant to take place in 2009, it has been constantly delayed due to issues in finalizing technical standards and other terms for the companies clinching the deal in the auction.

It is now expected to take place during the fourth quarter of this year, which indirectly tells us that, the network roll out will come into effect at least in 2015.

Major players in the consumer electronics manufacturing industry have already prepared well for the 4G network roll out in the country. The recent Consumer Electronics Show in the US has shown that all major players have kept their focus on bringing out devices meant for 4G networks.

Once the auction is over and the networks come into existence, the UK is expected to be a thriving market for these devices. The need for mobile data, according to certain market estimates, will shoot up to 500% of what it is now, within the next five years.

A major proposal put forward by Ofcom to the companies winning the deal at the auction is to cover 98% of the population while rolling out the network. Alternatively, they will have to enhance the 4G coverage so that it will match the present 2G coverage.

Ofcom wants to have the presence of at least 4 operators as 4G network providers, to keep good competition in the market, avoiding any chances of monopoly. It also wants to reserve some part of the 2.6 GHz spectrum for innovative purposes like local mobile networks for student campuses, hospitals, which will function for a smaller area.

The auction is considered as very important since it will decide the connectivity capacity of the people in the UK and in turn will affect business opportunities, chances of inclusion and exclusion to certain opportunities or anything which is directly or indirectly connected with ease of communication.