Telecoms regulator Ofcom has unveiled plans for the auction of fourth generation (4G) bandwidth for mobile phone services, but has said bidding will not start until early 2013.
The announcement will be seen as another delay.
Last year, the watchdog said it hoped to run the sale towards the end of 2012, after it was initially scheduled to take place early in 2012.
Ofcom now says it expects consumers to start getting services late next year.
The auction will sell chunks of radio spectrum to support future 4G mobile services, which will allow users to download data such as music and videos at much faster speeds.
Eddie Murphy, telecoms analyst and founder of Priory Consulting, told the BBC that there would be a feeling of deflation in the industry, given the new delay.
"There was a general expectation that there would be a date for the auction this morning," he said.
"But it's probably very important from Ofcom's point of view to get it right."
He added that there would be "mixed" reactions from mobile operators, with some disappointed that they cannot proceed with their plans to get 4G while others would be relieved they have got a bit more time to prepare.
New operator
The regulator has previously said that the spectrum to support 4G services will not be available to use until 2013 anyway.
It says its plans should see mobile broadband rolled out to at least 98% of people in rural areas across the UK.
The auction will offer the equivalent of three-quarters of the mobile spectrum currently in use - some 80% more than released in the 3G auction which took place in 2000, Ofcom said.
It now wants to see a new market entrant to promote competition so that consumers will benefit from better services at lower prices.
"In the interests of competition, Ofcom has decided to reserve a minimum amount of spectrum in the auction for a fourth operator. This could be either Hutchinson 3G or a new entrant altogether," Ofcom said.