Network operators could be obliged to roll out super-fast 4G mobile broadband services to at least 98 per cent of the UK under new proposals from Ofcom.

The telecoms regulator has set out several new plans aimed at extending coverage and boosting competition prior to airwaves in the 800MHz and 2.6GHz frequency bands being auctioned off at the end of this year.

In a consultation published by the telecoms regulator in March 2011, it was proposed that one of the 800MHz spectrum licences should carry a "special condition" obliging the holder to deploy 4G infrastructure to 95 per cent of the country.

However, since then, the government has outlined plans to spend £150 million on improving the reach of mobile networks to areas that are currently hampered by little or no mobile coverage, with a substantial chunk of this cash set to be spent on building new infrastructure.

As a result of this investment, Ofcom now believes it can "strengthen" the special condition attached to the licence in one of two ways, the first of which will see the obligation increased to include 98 per cent of the UK population.

A more effective option, the watchdog argued, could be to force one operator to match current levels of 2G coverage and expand into communities that benefit from the government's £150 million infrastructure improvement package.

"This second option would make it more likely that mobile broadband services would be provided in locations where they could be most valued by consumers, rather than in those areas where it is easiest for a licensee to meet the obligation," Ofcom argued.

The 4G spectrum auction was scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2012, but was delayed until the end of the year following threats of legal action from operators such as O2.

Provided the new timetable is met, the first 4G services are expected to be rolled out in late 2013.

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