Skipton MP welcomes 4G broadband service deal (From Craven Herald)

Skipton MP welcomes 4G broadband service deal

9:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News

Skipton MP Julian Smith has welcomed an announcement that 98 per cent of the UK will receive 4G mobile broadband services by 2017.

The move should provide smartphone and tablet computer users with superfast download speeds and lower prices.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom raised £2.34 billion from an auction of the 4G mobile spectrum.

Mr Smith said: “Rural MPs, led by my colleague Rory Stewart, passionately made the case to Ofcom and the Government that this auction needed to ensure 4G coverage for the whole of the UK.

“We saw from Labour’s 3G auction that focusing only on the short term income from 4G meant that huge swathes of the country were left without services.

“The strategic decision to balance the cash payment for these licences with stringent coverage obligations is a big win for our rural economy. From North Yorkshire to Cornwall, Norfolk to the Highlands and Islands, this auction deal ensures the long-term economic future for Britain’s sparsest areas.”

Winners of the auction were Everything Everywhere Ltd, Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, BT subsidiary Niche Spectrum Ventures Ltd, Telefonica UK Ltd and Vodafone.