No LTE 4G Mobile Broadband Services Until 2014

Ed Richards, Head of communications at UK telecoms regulator Ofcom, has revealed that the process of deploying Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband technology in the UK will not be complete until 2014.

Richards spoke about the LTE 4G technology during a speech to the FT World Telecoms Conference where he revealed that the process of releasing the LTE friendly 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum would not complete until the end of 2013, pathing the way for 4G mobile broadband services to begin in 2014.

At present, the 800MHz radio spectrum is being used for old analogue tv services, although with the upcoming digital switchover in the pipeline, terrestrial tv has allowed the 800MHz band to be re-purposed for use by mobile broadband services.

Ofcom are pushing for the UK government to consider the submitted draft legislation within the next week or so, which will direct the release of this spectrum and help to pave the way for the deployment of new LTE networks in the UK

However, according to Ofcom’s timetable, the process for 800MHz and 2.6GHz will take several years to complete.

“Provided that this legislation passes successfully, we will be able to move rapidly to liberalise the 900Mhz and 1800Mhz spectrum, allowing it to be used to deliver 3G services, making it tradable, and also extend the duration of the 3G licences with associated enhanced coverage obligations.”

Here is a rundown of Ofcom’s complete timetable for the UK spectrum.

Ofcom’s UK Spectrum Timetable:

• We aim to publish a consultation on our assessment of likely future mobile competition and detailed proposals for the combined auction, including details of any measures we propose to take to ensure effective competition, by the end of February [2011].
• That consultation will end in May [2011].
• A statement on future competition and details of the combined auction, together with draft auction regulations, in early autumn of 2011.
• Final auction regulations in place before the end of 2011.
• Bidders’ applications invited, eligibility checks and bidding itself to commence in Q1 2012.
• Depending on how long bidding lasts, result known and licences issued in Q2 2012.
• The spectrum itself we expect to be available from the beginning of 2013.
• The process of release completed, we hope, by the end of 2013.
• Networks up and running shortly thereafter.