Ofcom Delays EE 4G Decision

Ofcom has delayed its decision to formally approve Everything Everywhere (EE)’s request to use its existing spectrum for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) services.

The regulatory authority gave its preliminary approval to the plans earlier this month, but has decided to grant EE’s competitors extra time to respond.

Rivals respond

Under the plans, Everything Everywhere would use its 1800MHz spectrum that it currently uses for 2G services to create the first 4G network in the UK. Ofcom’s decision was originally scheduled for 17 April but this has been pushed back by three weeks to 8 May after rival operators requested additional time to have their say

The move caught many by surprise, with Vodafone, Three and O2 voicing their concerns that one operator would effectively get a head start before the auction for 4G spectrum takes place.

Speaking at the Westminster eForum yesterday, Three CEO Dave Dyson refused to rule out legal action over the issue, saying that just because EE had the spectrum shouldn’t mean they are allowed to use it for 4G. He said the company would wait for Ofcom’s response before considering its next move.

The news further complicates the long and much-delayed process of bringing 4G services to the UK. The auction of 4G spectrum has been persistently delayed due to legal action and technical issues, and is now not expected to take place until later this year, prompting Ofcom to warn that LTE networks may not be available for another four years.

Ofcom announced it was going to hold a second consultation into the process and its most recent proposals suggested EE would not have spectrum reserved, as had been previously indicated.

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