3D TV on smartphones has taken a step nearer reality thanks to research from wireless technology experts at the UK’s University of Bedfordshire.

Work on freeing up more space on the limited radio spectrum used by mobile phones pioneered by the university means that users will be able to watch football in 3D while sitting on the train or at a pub – or from anywhere in the world.

The research was revealed at the first ever joint international workshop on smart wireless communication applied radio systems research held jointly by the University of Bedfordshire and University of Manchester.

Professor Ben Allen, who is head of the University of Bedfordshire’s cutting edge Centre for Wireless Research, believes work at the university will help lead to 3D TV on mobile phones in the future.

“There was some ground-breaking research revealed at the conference that would enable mobile phones to have 3D TV,” said Professor Allen.

“The work at this university on cognitive radio would help mobile phone networks provide new services, such as 3D TV, whilst being more energy efficient and secure.

“There is a lot of work on cognitive radio that would help do that, which was revealed at the conference. Some phones already have good enough screens for 3D TV.”

More revolutionary research shown at the conference could see doctors monitoring patients at their home via their mobile phones. Work using multiple antennas and wireless sensor technology could free up beds for hospitals but still allow them to keep an eye on patients.

Professor Allen said: “This work on getting mobiles to work better on the body would enable hospitals to monitor patients’ blood sugar levels, for example.

“They could have a device on their body that would transmit to their mobile and feed that back to the hospital. In a time of over-crowding at hospitals this could help free up space.”

The success of the conference, which saw up to 70 delegates from all over the world attend, will see a second held next year at the university’s Luton campus.

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Professor Ben Allen