Yahoo Finance 4G Services Get Go-Ahead For Earlier Launch
Mobile operators in Britain will be able to roll out 4G services to the vast majority of the country in the first half of next year, the Government has said.
The move to bring 4G to the UK six months earlier than previously estimated was announced after Culture Secretary Maria Miller met the providers.
The meeting followed rival firms' anger at regulator Ofcom's decision to allow Everything Everywhere (EE) to launch fourth generation - or 4G - services later this month.
The announcement will enable Vodafone (LSE: VOD.L - news) and O2 to complete with EE - the joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile - sooner than expected.
"The deal, worth up to £3bn to the UK economy, will give people internet speeds on smartphones and tablets up to 10 times faster than currently available," said the statement.
It went on: "Delivering 4G services is a key part of the Government’s commitment to providing the UK with the digital infrastructure businesses need to succeed and grow.
"The Government is investing £830m to provide the UK with the best superfast broadband network in Europe (Chicago Options: ^REURUSD - news) by 2015 as well as extending mobile coverage."
Later this year Ofcom will begin auctioning the spectrum that many mobile companies will use for 4G services.
Over the last month, Ofcom, mobile network operators, Digital UK, TV broadcasters, and others have been working to speed up the process of making that spectrum available.
Ms Miller said: "Delivering 4G quickly is a key part of our economic growth strategy.
"I am grateful to the mobile operators for their co-operation in bringing forward vital 4G services.
"The open and collaborative approach taken between the Government and the mobile companies will have hugely beneficial results for UK business and investment."
EE said it will use its existing infrastructure to offer 4G services in 16 UK cities by the end of the year.
In September next year, mobile company 3 is due to take over part of EE's 4G spectrum.
Ofcom earlier defended giving EE the go-ahead, saying it will "deliver significant benefits to consumers".
4G is seen as crucial for fast-streaming video, gaming and downloading on a smartphone.
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