UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has given Everything Everywhere's move to launch an LTE network across the country the green light, with the service set to roll out in 2013.

The decision means the carrier conglomerate – which encompasses both Orange and T-Mobile – will deliver an LTE network via its existing 2G spectrum.

This means the communication standard could be available for UK consumers before Ofcom auctions off official 4G contracts in early 2013, set for commerical use the following year.

Better LTE than never

Ofcom has given Everything Everywhere's competitors until April 17 to register their complaints, though commentators suggest such objections are unlikely to make any difference given the body has already deemed the move will have no detrimental impact on the competition.

LTE networks aren't yet widely available in Europe, though Everything Everywhere is in the unique position of being able to utilise its 2G network, with the company having licenses to spare.

Other LTE networks are expected to roll out across Europe before the end of 2012, with Italian carrier also set to repurpose its 2G 1800 MHz band for use with the standard.

[source: GigaOM]