The 4G saga continues

We have previously reported on the continuing saga of the transition to 4G mobile coverage and the perceived effects of delays on the UK’s competitiveness. Responding to previous consultations, Ofcom has set out new proposals alongside a ten week consultation period.

The aim of these proposals is to provide 4G coverage for 98% of the UK population as well as institute measures to encourage competition between providers. The proposed enhanced level of coverage will bring mobile and broadband services to areas of the UK which presently have no service, at the same time bringing broadband to areas which will appreciate it most rather than areas which simply suit the operator.

One fact which stands out from the Ofcom announcement is that demand within Western Europe for mobile data is estimated to increase by 500% in the next five years. Ofcom say that the demand is “being fuelled by smartphones and mobile broadband data services such as video streaming, email, messenger services, online mapping and social networking”.

Certainly for businesses which have already embraced, or are thinking of embracing, the advantages of internet telephony, the lack of signal in certain areas is one which seems inconceivable given the progress of the internet itself. Using services such as call forwarding, caller divert and specialist UK and international telephone numbers a business can now place itself anywhere in the world and still seem to be providing a local service. For example, using a package such as Calling Spain allows a UK business to be run from Spain. With the UK telephone number being diverted automatically to Spain and an optional voicemail service, your caller need not know that you are enjoying a period of Spanish sunshine whilst running your UK business.

Using another example, the use of a China Toll Free Service brings 1.3billion potential customers to your reach with the use of a single phone number. With the calls being routed to your office anywhere in the world or even on a “follow the sun” basis, you no longer need to have an office in China to do business with China.

With such a truly global telephone network at our feet, the fact that there remain certain areas of the UK which are out of reach save for landlines seems inconceivable. These latest Ofcom proposals are expected to lead to an auction of 4G services in Q4 of 2012 and hopefully will lead to the UK moving to the forefront of the communication race.