News story

4G auction to deliver a ‘significant economic boost’

Operators could roll out 4G services by the summer.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
4G auction

The 4G auction will give a significant economic boost to the UK, according to Culture Secretary Maria Miller.

Today Ofcom announced the completion of their auction of 4G spectrum, which will ensure the UK has a highly competitive mobile market in the next generation. This means operators will be able to roll out services as much as six months earlier than expected.

Mrs Miller said: “Spectrum use is worth more than £50 billion to the UK economy, and 4G mobile broadband is a key part of our digital growth strategy. So I am delighted the auction has been completed.”

Read the full statement below.

Further information

4G: what we do Ofcom website

“Today’s announcement will deliver a significant economic boost to the UK. Spectrum use is worth more than £50 billion to the UK economy and 4G mobile broadband is a key part of our digital growth strategy so I am delighted the auction has been completed.

“We worked hard through the autumn to make sure that the operators would be able to use this spectrum 6 months earlier than expected. The benefits will be seen in the UK from the summer onwards as mobile operators deliver competitive high speed mobile broadband services.”

Notes to editors:

Ofcom has delivered an auction that will ensure that the UK continues to have a highly competitive mobile market and that will ensure consumers and businesses up and down the country can benefit from competitive high speed mobile broadband services as early as the summer.

By working in partnership, the Government, Ofcom, Digital UK and TV broadcasters have ensured the spectrum will be cleared of its current use so that operators will be able to roll out services as much as six months earlier than expected.

The 4G mobile broadband is just one element of the DCMS plans which will ensure the UK has the digital infrastructure needed to make it a truly great place to live, work and visit.

Published 20 February 2013