Ofcom says that carriers can begin submitting their applications, but the actual spectrum auction won’t take place until early next year. UK carriers will be bidding on two bands, 800Mhz and 2.6Ghz, although Everything Everywhere is hoping to leverage its existing 1800Mhz spectrum and push out a limited LTE service before the end of the year. Still, spectrum is a limited resource, and Everything Everywhere’s 1800Mhz band isn’t the most desirable for a wide spread and speedy service.

In addition, Ofcom says that a set of spectrum will be set aside for a fourth wholesaler or carrier to prevent the big three in the UK from dominating the market. The organization briefly mentions Hutchinson 3G, who have been vocal in the past regarding Ofcom’s plans. Once everything is auctioned off, carriers will be held to an obligation that means any mobile broadband offered on the 800Mhz band should be available to 98% of the UK by 2017, with the crucial point being that reception is available indoors. The 800Mhz band is best suited for that purpose, while the 2.6Ghz band will open up faster speeds.

[via The Next Web]

Ofcom is also looking to simplify call charges for 08, 09, and 118 numbers. 08 numbers typically includes the common 0845 prefix, used for customer support lines and government agencies. Ofcom say that charges won’t exceed 7p per minute for 084 numbers, and 13p per minute for 087 numbers.

The telecoms regulator hopes to clear up confusion surrounding the 03 prefix as well. Consumers seem to believe right now that the number is associated with extra charges, when in fact it is treated and costs the same as a geographic landline number.

If the new plans gain approval, companies using 08 numbers will be asked to use the phrasing “This call will cost you X pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge” to avoid confusion. Ofcom expect to hear on the final decision of the new plans by early 2013, with an 18-month transitional period since the change will affect a large number of businesses and companies in the UK.

[via The Next Web]

That April 17 date has now been pushed back to May 8 to give competitors such as Vodafone and O2 three more weeks to have their voices heard. Vodafone has already argued that approval of Everything Everywhere would give “a significant head start before any of its competitors have a clear path to 4G.” The reason competitors are upset at the lead approval of the LTE network would give T-Mobile and Orange has to do with when more bandwidth will be auctioned off.

Orange and T-Mobile plan to use 1800 MHz spectrum that is currently used for 2G communications for the LTE network and that could be approved within a few months. Vodafone and other competitors on the other hand would have to wait until the UK government auctioned off additional 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum, which is not likely to happen until late next year. I’m not sure what to think of this, on the surface, I can see the point of Vodafone. However, if Orange and T-Mobile already own spectrum that is suitable for LTE networks they should be able to use it I think. What do you think?

[via The Verge]