Mobile broadband providers are being asked by the government to offer their views on how £150 million of public money should be invested to improve current levels of coverage across the UK.

Chancellor George Osborne announced last October that the cash will be spent on boosting the quality of mobile services for the five to ten per cent of consumers and businesses in locations that suffer with poor or non-existent coverage.

Although the investment will initially be used to bolster basic voice and text messaging services, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport explained it will attempt to ensure that any infrastructure built as a result of the initiative is suitable for upgrading to support 4G mobile broadband technology in the future.

Ofcom is planning to hold the auction of 4G mobile spectrum in the final quarter of 2012, with the first of these services set to be rolled out in late 2013.

A document has been published by Communications Minister Ed Vaizey that asks network operators to give their views on where the UK's notspots can be found and what approach should be taken to tackle them.

The consultation will remain open for 30 days so the government can begin the procurement process in spring, meaning end users should begin seeing the benefits of the improvement work from early next year.

Local authorities and devolved administrations will be given the opportunity to air their views on the matter in a separate question document, due to be published shortly.

Mr Vaizey commented: "For as many as one in ten people, a mobile is little more than an expensive paperweight in their own home.

"The government is determined to provide the UK with the communications infrastructure we need to live, work and drive economic growth in the digital age. The views of industry experts will be invaluable in ensuring we use this £150 million to bring mobile coverage to as many people as possible."

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