Firing at the fans that flamed me
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4G auction could solve UK bad signal problems
UK TELECOMS regulator Ofcom should use the upcoming 4G spectrum auction to do more than just raise funds, it should also use it to increase mobile coverage across the UK, or at least it should, according to a Communications Consumer Panel.
The panel is calling on Ofcom to use the spectrum auction as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to extend mobile coverage in the UK.
The panel which is meant to inform Ofcom on decisions, said that currently the UK has appalling network coverage and bad mobile signals that hold back businesses and people.
Because of this, or perhaps because someone from the panel was once stuck on a train in one of these myriad not-spots, the panel is asking that Ofcom add some sort of coverage obligation to current plans or run a reverse auction at the same time that will cover increasing rural networks.
This is critical, according to the panel, because otherwise the 4G auctions will be run like the previous 3G and 2G exercises, ending up with the same limited connectivity in certain areas.
"This is a critical moment, and we have a unique opportunity to resolve the persistent problem of inadequate mobile coverage," said the panel chair, Bob Warner as he urged Ofcom to redress some of the harm that less coverage aware auctions caused.
"Most places that were mobile coverage not-spots ten years ago are still not-spots today, and the spectrum auction presents perhaps the only chance we have in the next decade to improve coverage in the nations and for rural communities." µ
Tags: Software
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OFTEL/OFCOM/whatever-you-want-to-call-the-UK-telecomms-regulator has been around for 20 years, so presumably you're just being pedantic.
Regardless, are you trying to argue that being utterly useless for only 8 years is acceptable?!? That's the sort of mediocrity people expect from the public sector. Oh wait...OFCOM is public sector. Just like all the other regulators that have been asleep on the job on their watches.
There is nothing to stop an "effective" regulator mandating that 4G license winners HAVE to provide a decent rural service in addition to the rich pickings of their urban services. Still, OFCOM isn't going to do THAT to its friends, I mean, bidders.
As for arguing the government somehow has a right to an income, not all of us agree with that particular philosophy. Smaller government is far better than the nanny-know-best style of government we've had since 1997.
You're not a civil servant are you?
James,
Ofcom has only existed since Dec 2003, so nearly 8 years, rather than 20.
Not sure where you live, but placing a 100% commitment on coverage might mean no one bids for the licenses or very little is bid. Which would mean no revenue for Government for; schools, hospitals, roads, etc etc.
"...currently the UK has an appalling useless regulator that holds back businesses and people."
There, fixed it for you.
OFCOM - reknowned for achieving nothing of substance in its 20 year history, except raising vast sums of indirect taxation for the government.
As a rural dweller, the thought of another OFCOM success in providing me with a broadband service that costs £5 per GB does not exactly fill me with glee.