New proposals for freeing up radio spectrum to improve services such as mobile broadband have been announced by Ofcom.

The UK's telecoms watchdog said the plans will, for the first time, allow network operators such as Orange, O2 and 3 Mobile to trade the spectrum that is used by mobile devices to communicate with masts.

This matter is of particular importance to the mobile phone and broadband industry, the body explained, as an increasing number of consumers are using devices such as smartphones, dongles and tablet PCs to access the internet.

Under the proposals, carriers that have a greater need for spectrum will be able to bid for it from their rivals that require it less.

"One important way of meeting ... demand is making the acquisition of spectrum as flexible as possible," insisted Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom.

Mobile broadband usage could be set for further growth in the near future, as both Ericsson and ABI Research have predicted the global total of these connections will reach one billion in 2011. 

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