Ofcom increases 3G spectrum power limits

Ofcom's decision could be good news for mobile browsers

Mobile internet speeds could see a marked improvement after Ofcom agreed to increase the power limit levels for 3G spectrum licences.

The move means that each mobile operator will have more 3G spectrum through which to send data to customer devices, and will help battle the surge in mobile data caused by the growth in smartphone and tablet use.

Specifically, the in-band power limit for the five existing 3G licences has been increased from 62 decibel power to one milliwatt (dBm) to 65dBm equivalent isotropically radiated power per carrier.

Ofcom outlined the benefits of the decision for operators and customers in an executive statement (PDF).

"Dependent on network operators, this has the potential to improve voice capacity, data throughput and in-building signal availability by making more effective use of currently available base station technology," the regulator said.

Ofcom also explained that the move had been researched in detail with various organisations to assess the health implications of an increase.

"Our consultation was triggered by a variation request from Vodafone, subsequently supported by O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Three, to increase the maximum in-band power," Ofcom said.

"The Health Protection Agency noted that the levels of emissions measured in the vicinity of base stations are below the level set and recognised internationally as a safe limit for human exposure, and the increase will not significantly change that position."

Operators welcomed the move, and Vodafone said that the change will help the company improve customer connectivity.

"We are pleased that Ofcom has agreed to a slight increase in power from some 3G base stations. This change will let us further improve indoor 3G coverage and speeds in urban areas," a Vodafone spokesperson said.

O2 also welcomed the decision, and reassured consumers that the increased spectrum does not pose any health risk, citing research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to back this up.

"We think this change improves the flexibility we have to plan our network, which ultimately means a better customer experience," the firm said.

"The proposed new power output figure is well below international radio frequency exposure guidelines, and it is the WHO's opinion that there is no evidence to suggest a link between mobile phones or masts and ill health."

V3.co.uk contacted Orange, T-Mobile and Three for their reactions to the move, but was still awaiting comment at the time of publication.

Interestingly, Ofcom had proposed raising the limit to 68dBm to "provide headroom for likely developments in 3G base station technology", but said that responses from the operators did not support this limit.