Latest Podcast



Featured Articles

Friday, November 16, 2012

Ofcom plans to avoid capacity problems for 4G and 5G mobile services in the UK

Ofcom has published plans to ensure that UK mobile phone networks are able to support the ever-increasing demand for mobile data capacity. It’s also published new information that shows mobile data usage has more than doubled in the past 12 months; up from 9 million gigabytes last year to 20 million GB.

By 2030, it’s thought that demand for mobile data could be 80 times higher than today. To meet this requirement, the UK needs more mobile spectrum and more efficient usage.

Ofcom is planning to ensure additional radio spectrum can be made available for existing mobile technologies and for the potential introduction of fifth-generation ‘5G’ mobile services as well. It’s aiming to take advantage of the 700MHz frequency band, which is currently used for digital terrestrial television (DTT) and could be released to mobile networks without the need for another TV switchover.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said “Within the coming months we will hold the UK’s largest-ever auction of mobile spectrum for 4G. However, that may not be enough to meet consumers’ future data demands, which is why we are already making significant efforts to prepare to go beyond 4G. Our plans are designed to avoid a ‘capacity crunch’, ensuring that the UK’s mobile infrastructure can continue to support the inescapable growth in consumer demand and economic growth more generally.”

The new Ofcom plans would ensure that alternative frequencies - probably in the 600MHz band - are available for DTT towards the end of the decade. Most TV viewers would simply need to retune their TV equipment when this happens. These changes would require international agreement, which is expected to be finalised in 2015. Any frequency changes would be unlikely to happen before 2018.

Print
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Rate this article:
No rating

Categories: Networks and operators, NewsNumber of views: 15550

Tags: uk 4g ofcom data television 5g

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment

Opinion Articles

This week at The Fonecast: 5th March 2011

Mark Bridge writes:

It's hardly worth mentioning the new iPad, is it?  Not because I'm unimpressed – although I'd describe it as more of an upgrade than a brand-new product – but because everyone else has been talking about it so much. And we'll be doing some more talking in Wednesday's podcast, so let’s move on...

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

There's nowhere to go with tablet innovation - even Apple seems to agree

Mark Bridge writes:

"Harder, better, faster, stronger". Okay, so it's a lyric from Daft Punk (or Kanye West, if you prefer) but it might as well be the vague design brief for second-generation tablets.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Cell phones cause increased brain activity

Vidushi Sinha of voanews.com writes:

A new study finds that an hour-long cell phone call causes a spike in biochemical activity in the user's brain. The researchers can't say whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, but the finding has renewed the debate over cell phone safety and raised calls for more health studies.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

SK Telecom: m-health, mobile telematics, HD video calls and much more

Mark Bridge writes:

When I arrived at Mobile World Congress earlier this month, I said I wanted to see a bit of everything. Ground-breaking devices, advanced technology, network innovation... and some original applications as well. What I didn't realise was that I could find all of those in one place, on the SK Telecom stand.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

This week at The Fonecast: 26th February 2011

Mark Bridge writes:

For many people, the week after Mobile World Congress has a flat, post-Christmas, post-holiday feeling.

But not here at The Fonecast. We’ve produced two extra podcasts this week – themed around mobile audio and mobile usability – and there are more interviews from MWC lined up for next week.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
First7980818284868788Last

Recent Podcasts

Reviewing our 2015 mobile industry predictions... and looking forward to 2016

Podcast - 15th January 2016

Iain Graham, James Rosewell and Mark Bridge return to review their mobile industry predictions from last year. Which mergers, partnerships and developments did they forecast correctly... and which didn’t work out as planned?

Later in the programme, the team anticipates some of the topics that will be hitting the headlines during 2016.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Podcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Podcast - 6th March 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Looking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

Podcast - 27th February 2015

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Interview with Chris Millington of Doro about mobile retailing, wearables and technology for older consumers

Podcast - 24th February 2015

In today's programme Mark Bridge talks to Chris Millington, who's Managing Director for Doro UK and Ireland.

They discuss the state of mobile retailing in the UK, the future of wearable devices and - as you might expect - smartphones for seniors.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

A month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

Podcast - 30th January 2015

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Twitter @TheFonecast RSS podcast feed
Find us on Facebook Subscribe free via iTunes

Archive Calendar

«November 2024»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
2526272829301
2345678

Archive

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement