The UK's four main mobile network operators have reached an agreement for the launch of 4G mobile broadband services. The move will see competitive 4G services made available to consumers in spring 2013, with Ofcom set to begin an auction later in 2012. The progress made in moving forward the delivery of 4G mobile services was welcomed by regulator Ofcom. Chief executive CEO said that the actions of industry and government avoids the risk of significant delay and was good news for consumers. Ofcom plans to start the auction process to release spectrum at end-2012, with bidding starting in early-2013. Following discussions with TV broadcasters, Digital UK and the transmission company Arqiva, Ofcom has secured the earlier release of frequencies that were previously used for digital-terrestrial broadcasting. This spectrum will now be cleared and ready for 4G mobile services across much of the UK five months earlier than previously planned, from spring 2013.
