Countries such as Russia, South Korea, Kenya and even Nepal either have or will have 4G mobile internet networks by the end of the year, Britons will have to wait until 2014 before they can access such networks.

According to Ofcom the time and money needed to install a 4G network system will be substantial.

The rights to use a 4G network system will be auctioned off in 2012 but Ofcom has said it is expecting a lot less money for it than when they auctioned off portions of the 3G network.

The 4G networks will allow wireless mobile internet to be up to 25 times faster than the current speeds.

Three (3) and Everything Everywhere have been threatening Ofcom with legal action after Ofcom handed over spectrum in the 900MHz band to Vodafone and O2 earlier this year.

This put Three (3) and Everything Everywhere at a major disadvantage when auctions proceed next year for the 4G networks.

This threat could delay the implementation of the faster 4G networks as Ofcom fights off the suit.

Ofcom's chief executive, Ed Richards said:

"I hope that all [operators] recognise that the UK needs to move on with this now and accept that a judgment's got to be made.

"What I hope doesn't happen is that the debate spills over into litigation because that will delay the award [of the spectrum after the auction] and then there is only one loser - the British consumer."