Ofcom has admitted the UK auction of 4G mobile broadband spectrum has been significantly delayed.

The telecoms industry watchdog had initially proposed that the first quarter of next year would be the best time to conduct the spectrum sell-off, which will give network operators more frequency to be used for the deployment of 4G services.

However, the regulator has now said the auction will "perhaps" be held in the final quarter of 2012, following the publication of a further consultation document at the end of this year and an eight-week consultation period.

A decision will then be made and a statement released next summer, Ofcom explained.

Playing down likely frustrations at the latest delay, the organisation stressed that the 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum bands - which will be sold off in the auction - will not be available for 4G mobile broadband use until 2013 anyway.

"This step is unlikely to have a material impact on the timeline for the availability of new services to consumers," it insisted.

Despite this, Ofcom declared it is still committed to awarding the additional spectrum to mobile carriers as soon as possible "in a manner that best promotes the interests of citizens and consumers".

The news comes just days after the publication of a study that revealed delays to the rollout of 4G mobile broadband have a significant negative effect on the UK's economy.

According to Open Digital, the availability of faster mobile browsing will save employers up to 37 million business hours per year, but the inability to benefit from this is costing an annual sum of around £732 million.

Pushing the auction back by three to six months also costs as much as £366 million, the organisation claimed, meaning the total price could be more than £1 billion.

As such, Open Digital urged Ofcom to adopt a more ambitious timetable for the rollout of 4G mobile broadband services.

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