Poor broadband hinders m-commerce

eBay wants 4G radio spectrum to be cheap, claiming that mobile commerce is a lost opportunity in the UK, but the shopping portal's motives aren't quite as altruistic as they appear to be, reveals The Register.

The UK regulator, Ofcom, is currently consulting on how best to flog off the old analogue TV frequencies, which are expected to end up carrying 4G telephony.

eBay has responded to that consultation by calling for the regulator to focus on coverage and accessibility, so that private companies like itself can focus on increasing revenue without having to worry about the operators wanting a slice.

According to ZDNet, research conducted at the command of eBay shows that 16% of the UK remains an 'm-commerce not-spot', meaning mobile spending in such areas is at least 20% below the national average.

The Scottish highlands and islands and rural areas of England and Wales fared worst in the study, which was carried out by Verdict.

“Mobile shopping represents a massive opportunity not just for retailers, but for the economy as a whole,” eBay UK retail director Angus McCarey said in a statement. “But our research shows that consumers and retailers are missing out as the cost and reliability of mobile broadband prevents shoppers from spending.”

eBay said it was calling on Ofcom to take action to support m-commerce and help the sector realise its potential, as the regulator decides on how best to sell licences for 4G, reports PC Pro.