Ofcom announced today that the auction for 4G services, which are designed to provide the next generation of high-speed mobile services, will be under way by the end of 2012 but bidding will not start until early 2013.

The revised schedule for the auction from the regulator comes as Ofcom tries to promote competition while ensuring widespread coverage.The minimum reserve sum for the 4G is £1.4 billion but the expected price is much higher.

Ofcom has stated: "In the interests of competition, Ofcom has decided to reserve a minimum amount of spectrum in the auction for a fourth operator. This could be either Hutchinson 3G or a new entrant altogether".