EE, Telefónica O2, Three and Vodafone have agreed to the creation of a company whose job it will be to ensure that consumers continue to receive clear digital TV signals when 4G services are rolled out in the UK next year.

The launch of Digital Mobile Spectrum comes following concerns that interference will affect Freeview TV services due to the closeness between 800 MHz spectrum and that of Digital Terrestrial Television.

4G services in other frequency bandwidths do not require similar measures.

The company will be will jointly controlled and funded by the successful bidders in the upcoming 800 MHz spectrum auction.

Its creation follows successful talks between the four operators, UK regulator Ofcom, and Government ministers to resolve a dispute caused when EE was granted permission to launch 4G services ahead of its competitors.

Andrew Pinder, the chairman of premium phone services regulator PhonePay Plus, has been appointed interim chairman.

He said: "This is an excellent response by all mobile operators to the Minister’s challenge to set up this company as quickly as possible.

"It represents a real milestone and I will continue to work with all of the mobile operators and other stakeholders to get plans in place for the rapid launch of 4G services on the spectrum to be auctioned next year."

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards added: “The 4G auction is already on track to begin at the end of the year and the creation of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited ahead of time represents yet another step towards bringing consumers early access to the next generation of mobile broadband services.”