O2 UK, broadband provider, has pumped up its mobile broadband services by becoming the first Mobile Network Operator to convert and re-use its 900MHz (2G voice) radio spectrum for 3G services.

O2 UK has already deployed its 3G900 service in strategically significant locations across the country, these include London, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester, with other major cities next in line for the rollout.

Nigel Purdy, Chief Technology Officer for Telefónica O2 UK, said:

"This 3G900 switch-on is the latest in a series of network enhancements for O2, and is a first for the UK and Telefónica.

"We've acted quickly to bring the benefits of 3G over 900MHz spectrum to our customers and we're thrilled with the results. Quite simply, on O2's network, more customers can use more data, and experience it quicker.

"We invest the equivalent of over £1m a day, every day, in our network, which is used to deliver technologies in a way that goes beyond traditional cellular infrastructure; providing access to a new range of 'smarter' services. "Our strategy is to intelligently layer our network to give our customers connection to 2G, 3G, HSPA+,LTE and Wi-Fi, seamlessly, simply and at speed."

O2 also said it tested the services before deployment and noticed that the mobile data speeds were 30 per cent faster with capacity increasing by half.

Nevertheless, it has been said that this might not be great news for O2's competitor, Three, who claimed that Ofcom may have given certain mobile operators an "unfair competitive advantage".