Mobile networks respond to OfCom 4G plan

OfCom released its report on the 4G spectrum auction earlier today, suggesting that it would take place later this year, finally bringing the high speed network to consumers sometime in late 2013. In response, several of the big mobile operators have commented on the news.

With over 1,000 pages to the report, most have some sort of quote along the lines of  ‘we're still reading it,' but a few had something else to add too. O2 said that:  “Ofcom's detailed rules for the auction represent a significant step towards 4G launch in the UK. While Ofcom has taken a number of our suggestions on board, they are combined with other changes to the previous proposals.”

Vodafone was similarly happy so far, stating simple that: “Ofcom appears to have created a mechanism to deliver the spectrum needed to run competitive 4G services and we welcome the work it has done.”

However, Everything Everywhere (formerly Orange and TMobile) wasn't quite as pleased. A spokesperson had a chat with The Inquirer and said: “There are still some elements of today’s proposal which we don’t think are in the interests of competition or consumers.” It also highlighted how the auction was only “one step” in the road to bringing 4G to the UK and that it wanted to bring 4G to the masses this year, using its available 1800MHZ spectrum to do so.

The smallest of the networks, Three, is still hoping to get a piece of the 4G pie, despite having a far smaller thumbprint on the industry. “Ofcom's decision on the structure of the spectrum auction will have a lasting effect on the choice of services and value available to mobile consumers,” it said in a statement.

KitGuru Says: Due to all the infighting over the 4G auction, the UK is really beginning to fall behind the rest of the world.

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