Telecoms regulator Ofcom has approved an application by mobile operator Everything Everywhere (EE) to use its existing spectrum to deliver 4G ahead of the upcoming auction.

The next generation of mobile broadband – seen as crucial for video, gaming and downloading from your phone – could potentially be available within weeks as the company was given the OK to launch 4G any time after September 11 this year.

Ofcom said that allowing EE to use its existing 1800 MHz spectrum in this way will "deliver significant benefits to consumers".

Other mobile operators will get the chance to bid for lower frequency 4G spectrum in an auction process due to begin towards the end of 2012.