The wireless services will offer very fast connectivity of more than 2mbits a second. The so-called 3G mobile phones rely on faster connection speeds using new technology, and are expected to appear on the market within the next 18 months. Mobiles using 3G technology can offer download speeds of a maximum of 2mbits a second. However, that rate can deteriorate depending on whether the phone is being used by someone in a moving vehicle, for example. Three broadband wireless licences are being offered for sale in 14 regions across Britain.
Buyers can only own one licence in each region.
Of the companies bidding, only four want to build a national network by buying licences in every region. The licences are expected to attract companies which want to supply high-speed data services to businesses and people who work from home. However, that has already raised fears among conservationists that the expansion of wireless services will lead to intrusive masts being built in the countryside. E-Minister Patricia Hewitt told ITN's new media correspondent Fergus Sheppard that she hoped to see the first commercial services coming on to the market within a couple of months of the auction closing. The Government also hopes the new services will be able to take on the other high-speed Net offering, called ADSL, which is currently rolling out across Britain.