Mobile definite Three has warned that it might start running out of ability in city areas by the finish of next year if spectrum auctions do not go ahead.
Networks increasingly face overload as the urge for information soars.
Auctions to giveaway up space for next era mobile services are earmarked for mid-2012 nonetheless Three mentioned that the calendar was "already slipping".
It mentioned it was key the definite got its satisfactory share of new spectrum.
It moreover warned that its rivals might endeavor to check the process.
"There is a outrageous financial inducement for opponent operators to check the auction. We are disturbed that the other 3 will endeavor to fist us out of the market," mentioned Three arch senior manager David Dyson at a press lecture in London.
Ofcom is due to re-evaluate the fees operators pay for 2G spectrum once the auction is complete.
"The more that is bid for new spectrum the more operators will pay in fees for existing spectrum. They will usually start profitable the fees from the finish of the auction so there is an inducement to check it," explained Ovum researcher Matthew Howett.
Spectrum apportionment in the UK is hugely complex. Historically O2 and Vodafone own all the UK's 2G airwaves since they were the usually operators in the marketplace when that spectrum was handed out.
While other European countries have reallocated their 2G spectrum amid newer players that hasn't happened in the UK.
Earlier this year Ofcom concluded to enable O2 and Vodafone to re-use tools of the 2G network for 3G services.
While it eased ability problems for them, it led Three to protest that the personification margin for mobile operators was apropos increasingly uneven.
As a sweetener, Ofcom mentioned that it would levy a hat on the amount of spectrum companies could win at the auction to make sure 3 remained a key player in the market.
"It has done it coherent that it wants Three in the marketplace and that it values Three's disruptive influence," mentioned Mr Howett.
Rivals are not cheerful and have in jeopardy authorised action over the caps.
"They dispute that it is authorised state aid," mentioned Mr Howett.
O2 is available the last sum of how the auction will work - approaching from Ofcom in November - but did not order out the probability of serve challenges.
"We are focused on a helpful and continuing discourse with Ofcom on its proposals. Even if a few serve conference is required, it won't check the accessibility of 4G, as the spectrum itself will not be available until 2013. The key is to obtain the auction right," mentioned an O2 spokesperson.
The 4G auctions will sell off spectrum in the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bandwidths.
The initial has been liberated up by the switchover to digital TV and is quite valuable to operators since its low magnitude means it can casing incomparable areas and dig buildings.
Three now has the lowest in-building coverage of all the operators.
The outrageous urge for information has been putting the fist on all networks, quite Three, and the 2.6GHz rope will help ease such issues.
Mr Dyson certified that ability in considerable city areas such as London would start to run out by the finish of next year but he waste assured it won't affect customers.
"I think the auction will go forward next year and thus overload will not happen," he said.
"We have been assured by the supervision and Ofcom that distortions will be rebalanced when the auction happens," he said.
But he updated that the calendar is to auction routine was already slipping.
"Ofcom originally planed to advance back to attention with its skeleton in September or October but that is now likely to be the finish of the year or the commencement of the next," he said.
But Mr Howett waste convinced the delays will not affect the auction.
"It is a hugely desirous timetable, perplexing to do in 18 months what took 3 years for 3G, but many are optimistic it can still be met," he said.
Whether rivals will take the authorised action they have in jeopardy waste to be seen but pressure will be put on them to pull forward with the process.
"Jeremy Hunt has mentioned that he doesn't wish it to be behind and they will have him respirating down their necks adage 'don't obtain in the way'", mentioned Mr Howett.
As segment of its pull to make information more available, Three is dropping the cost of its renouned all-you-can-eat information outline to 18 a month.
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