Ofcom has allowed UK mobile phone operators to put 3G mobile data services on the frequencies previously set aside for 2G communication. It says this has the potential to increase mobile broadband speeds, deliver improved in-building coverage and widen mobile broadband coverage in rural areas.
The 900MHz and 1800MHz bands were originally licensed with a condition that they could only be used for 2G services; mainly voice calls and text messages. This changed at the end of 2010 following European legislation that required the UK to allow 3G use on the 2G spectrum.