Ofcom to free up 2G spectrum for 3G

Move should increase mobile broadband speeds, and widen coverage in rural areas

Communications regulator Ofcom has introduced measures that will help mobile phone operators increase mobile broadband speeds, deliver improved in-building coverage and widen mobile broadband coverage in rural areas.

It has done this by providing part of the spectrum traditionally used by mobile phone operators to provide 2G services, enabling phone calls and SMS messaging, to phone operators for the provision of 3G services, such as mobile internet browsing.

Speaking to Computing's sister web site, V3.co.uk, Ovum analyst Matt Howett suggested that the move is good news for operators and end-users as it will increase coverage and help tackle the digital divide.

"This will give operators the chance to get mobile broadband into far more rural communities while using fewer base stations and increasing capacity," he said.

Mobile phone operators could previously only use a limited amount of spectrum - the airwaves that mobile phones and other wireless devices use to communicate - to deliver 3G.

The remainder of their spectrum holdings was licensed in the 1990s with a condition that it could only be used for 2G services. This spectrum could in future be used to meet the growing demand from smartphone devices and the like for 3G services.