Ofcom has identified a number of additional spectrum bands that could be used to deliver mobile broadband services.
The mobile regulator said, when combined with developments in mobile technology such as 5G and the introduction of more advanced mobile networks, using these bands could increase the country's mobile capacity by more than 25 times by 2030.
It also called for the UK's finite spectrum resources to be used more efficiently to ensure networks can withstand the increased dependence on mobile devices and services as well as the growth of the internet of things.
The demands for mobile data will only increase as millions more wireless devices connect to the internet and each other.
Ofcom is currently working with the Ministry of Defence to move spectrum from the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands used by the public sector into commercial use. It said the spectrum is suitable for mobile data and could be released through an auction in 2015-16.
The watchdog is also looking at the potential to rearrange the bands used for digital terrestrial TV to release more prime spectrum for mobile broadband use sometime after 2018.
It also said over the next six months around 20 organisations would be participating in an Ofcom pilot to road test white space' technology. New applications will be tested over that time including sensors that monitor the behaviour of cities, to dynamic information for road users and rural broadband in hard to reach places. It aims to use the gaps, or white spaces' that sit in the frequency band used to broadcast digital terrestrial TV.
In the long term, the Government is also assessing the possibility of reorganising the 2.7 GHz radar band to potentially release up to 100 MHz of spectrum for other uses, which could include mobile broadband. Additional spectrum in the 3.6GHz band, which is currently used for satellite links, could also be reused.
Ofcom has identified up to 881 MHz of additional downlink spectrum. This compares to approximately 135 MHz of downlink spectrum (100 MHz of paired spectrum plus 70 per cent of the unpaired spectrum) made available as part of the 4G auction.
"The demands for mobile data will only increase as millions more wireless devices connect to the internet and each other," said Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive.
"We're looking at ways to use spectrum more efficiently and consider future releases of prime spectrum. By doing so, we can help to meet the significant demands placed on our wireless infrastructure and develop one of the world's leading digital economies."
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