Ofcom today announced that 4G LTE mobile services could be available in the UK as early as this year. UK operator Everything Everywhere has already submitted an application to Ofcom to use its existing spectrum to deliver 4G services. 

Ofcom has considered whether allowing Everything Everywhere to use this spectrum in this way would distort competition, and provisionally concluded that it would not. And given the benefits this would bring to consumers, Ofcom is minded to allow this change of use.

Interested parties have four weeks in which to submit their views on this proposed change. In 2011, Ofcom ruled that 2G spectrum could be used for 3G, as part of plans to liberalise spectrum use. Today, Ofcom has proposed to allow 4G use as well – to meet the growing demand from internet connected devices such as smartphones and laptops.

Everything Everywhere has planned LTE trials over 1800MHz in Bristol from April. The trial will provide operator with key learnings on the performance of 4G LTE over its existing 1800Mhz spectrum in both urban and suburban environments. The Bristol trial complements Everything Everywhere’s live customer trial of 4G technology over 800MHz spectrum in rural Cornwall, launched in September 2011 and recently extended to July 2012.

UK Broadband also announced in February 2012 that it will launch a 4G network this year. Using its 3.5 GHz spectrum, it plans to offer commercial 4G services from May 2012 on a wholesale basis. The network will initially cover the Southbank and Borough areas of Southwark.