Superfast mobile broadband will be rolled out from Britain’s cities to the most remote villages, with at least 98% of the population receiving a signal indoors, thanks to the biggest auction of the UK’s airwaves, but the sell-off could lead to higher prices for customers by reducing the number of national networks from four to three.

Bidding is scheduled to start by the end of the year, according to plans for the auction of 4G spectrum published by telecoms watchdog Ofcom. About 5% of the population has no mobile- phone coverage but one of the licences to be auctioned will come with an obligation to ensure 4G broadband reaches almost all homes by 2017. Ofcom had proposed 95% coverage but this has increased to 98%.

To read this report in The Guardian in full, see:
www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/jan/12/4g-superfast-broadband-airwaves-auction-ofcom

Also see:

Ofcom boosts 4G coverage plan in rural ‘not-spots’
Ofcom has revised proposals for its fourth-generation mobile spectrum auction, adding measures that could bring coverage to 98% of the UK.

The regulator said the winning bidder will have to provide the high-speed coverage to current “not-spot” areas.

It said the measures would help bring fast mobile internet to parts of the country that are underserved.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16527490