The boss of 3 Mobile has hit out at Ofcom's decision to free up 2G airwaves to enhance 3G mobile broadband services.

Speaking to BBC News, Kevin Russell insisted the move would give an "unfair competitive advantage" to its rivals - Orange, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone - that hold 2G licenses.

Explaining the measure, Ofcom said it will offer a number of benefits to mobile broadband subscribers, including improved coverage that will allow people to use the technology in more parts of the country with "greater consistency".

It will also result in faster speeds and better reception inside buildings, the telecoms regulator claimed.

Ahead of the Digital Dividend auction, which is set to take place in late 2011 and will see more frequency sold off for use with next generation services, Mr Russell called on Ofcom to create a level playing field.

"Competition in the market is also vital to the delivery of the government's universal broadband and digital inclusion targets," he remarked.

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Comments (6)

22nd July 2009

if you read your virgin contract carefully there is a section that relates to a clause J5 and you may cancel your contract as you have paid more to get setanta by taking the XL package and now you have been put out due to no more setanta. Don`t forget you can downgrade your package at anytime as the 12month contract is with virgin not the package!!!!!

20th July 2009

If ESPN is not free for XL package customers, Virgin Media will lose thousands of subscribers and hopefully itself goes into administration. If this dose happen am going to Sky.

07th July 2009

Valerie The answer I was given was no, as it was part of the package. You can bet your proverbial that ESPN will be a stand alone and we'll have to pay the XL package plus a subscription ...well they can try, because the moment they do I'm off to Sky

26th June 2009

Virgin Media should post updated details for XL package customers who may want to change their package

25th June 2009

I highly doubt this as Setanta is free to anyone on the XL package I don't see how we can claim anything back.

25th June 2009

at the moment I no longer recieve the sports channel Setanta which I pay for through my XL package. Until this setback is finalised will the cost of not having this channel be deducted off our package fees .