mobileu.co.uk

Consultation launched on 3G power boost

Communications regulator Ofcom has published a consultation on increasing the power limits of 3G mobile licences, in a move that would improve mobile phone coverage in the UK.

The development follows a request by Vodafone UK to increase the permitted transmission limits on its 3G licence, based on its experiences using higher-powered equipment in Germany.

Other 3G networks contacted by Ofgem revealed they would support the proposal – and would like the same condition applied to all in possession of a 3G licence.

Existing equipment has the power to transmit around 65dBm, but setting the permitted level higher would pave the way for improvements and the arrival of higher-powered equipment.

"In assessing the proposal, Ofcom has taken into consideration likely developments in 3G engineering and is consequently suggesting that an increase to 68dBm EIRP, rather than the requested 65dBm, would be appropriate (as compared with the current limit of 62dBm) in order to remove the potential need for further consultation in the near future," the regulator states.

While Ofcom acknowledges in its consultation that countries including Sweden, Germany and France have no limits on the power of 3G mobile licences, interference is identified as a potential problem.