Broadband industry regulator Ofcom has announced plans to open up the mobile internet sector to promote new technologies.

Under the proposals, the 2G spectrum of mobile broadband would be deregulated in an effort to introduce better mobile broadband, improved rural coverage and lower prices, the communication industry regulator said.

Ofcom estimates the benefit of deregulating the 2G broadband spectrum to be worth £6 billion to the national economy. Most of the spectrum will be retained by mobile operators Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile and Orange but under the Ofcom proposals it will also be tradable, allowing other operators to use the spectrum for services.

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."

Currently, mobile phone networks are providing third-generation broadband systems under the term High Speed Downlink Protocol Access.

Categories: Wireless Broadband

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