Radio spectrum earmarked for mobile broadband networks

Broadband industry regulator Ofcom has announced that the 800MHz band of the UK radio's spectrum could be used for a mobilebroadband network.

The decision will enable the UK to catch up with the level of broadband connectivity available across Europe and will allow more people to access next-generation broadband as it becomes operational over the next few years.

Next-generation broadband could facilitate more efficient use of VoIP hardware and enable web users to download media content at faster speeds.

The organisation said: "We believe that freeing-up the whole 800MHz band for new uses will provide large benefits to citizens and consumers. These include lower equipment prices for consumers [and] more efficient use of spectrum."

It added that the development could help stimulate competition in the industry while also allowing the mobilebroadband sector to grow.

Mobilebroadband is being seen as one way in which the government's universal connectivity targets for 2012 can be achieved, as physical connections to more remote UK communities are likely to be enormously expensive.