A 4G mobile broadband service for the UK is now expected to be launched next year after delays caused by postponement of the spectrum auction.

It is unlikely that the auction of the 2.6GHz spectrum will take place this year, said Kip Meek, the Government's Independent Spectrum Broker.

Many broadband providers wanted to delay it until they could tell whether 3G services could run on the band as this would affect the amount they were willing to bid for a share of the 2.6GHz spectrum.

Various issues reportedly affected the auction date, causing a delay that will affect the implementation of the technology.

Mr Meek said the timing of the new 4G mobile broadband service remained uncertain, after reports that the auction was unlikely to be in 2010.

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