Mobile firm in 4G move

BRITAIN could see next-generation high-speed mobile phone services by the end of this year, after telecoms regulator Ofcom said it would let operator Everything Everywhere reuse its radio spectrum for a 4G network.

Everything Everywhere, a joint venture between France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom, said last month it expected to start building a next-generation LTE network by the end of 2012, but it needed Ofcom’s sanction to use its radio spectrum for the new, faster services.

The regulator gave a provisional conclusion yesterday that the move by Britain’s biggest mobile carrier would bring benefits to consumers without distorting competition.

“Allowing Everything Everywhere to reuse its spectrum in this way is likely to bring material benefits to consumers, including faster mobile broadband speed and potentially wider mobile broadband coverage in rural areas,” it said.