Regulator calls for 4G bids

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Mobile phone operators can finally apply for one of three 4G licenses which will give Islanders faster internet speeds on their mobiles.

Jersey’s competition regulator CICRA has announced the start of the competitive process and telecoms companies have until 4 June to get an invitation to bid and put together their best case for being given a license.

The regulator will look at the bids, rank them and submit their recommendation to Ofcom, the licensing authority.

CICRA interim chief executive Michael Byrne said: “We are focussed on ensuring that the right tenders come forward for the award of this radio spectrum so that customers benefit most from these new technologies in the Channel Islands. Competitive processes have been underway in a number of countries for similar spectrum and the Channel Islands are now preparing to launch these technologies also.”

“We will also be addressing the issue of roaming charges for the provision for 4G services which has been a long standing problem for mobile customers using 3G. It is even more vital this is addressed now given the potential amounts of data 4G is designed to deliver over the airways.”

The spectrum needed for 4G was made available after the Island switched from analogue to digital television.