Mobile broadband demand can only be met if newly-freed spectrum is made available for such services, it has been suggested.

Dr Peter Couch, Head of Strategy Development at Arqiva, said consumers and businesses are increasingly seeking the greater geographical flexibility associated with the technology.

As a result, the telecommunications frequencies freed up by the digital TV switchover are urgently required, he claimed.

Speaking at the Westminster eForum Keynote Seminar in London, Dr Couch said the 800MHz spectrum is likely to be particularly important for broadband providers, as it has substantial reach and can penetrate buildings.

"We've yet to see these characteristics utilised to benefit the mobile broadband industry," he commented.

"We're keen to see the spectrum brought to market…and we'll see that this spectrum has a key involvement in deployment of rural broadband."

ABI Research recently predicted a 55-fold rise in shipments of mobile broadband-enabled consumer electronic goods between 2008 and 2014.