Ofcom finalises 4G auction rules
The 4G auction rules have been published by Ofcom ahead of bidding in January
Ofcom has outlined the rules for the UK’s 4G spectrum auction with a reserve price for the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands being set at £1.3 billion.
The regulator has set a provisional date for the online auction as December 11, by which time interested bidders need to have submitted an application.
O2 and Vodafone are expected to be the main bidders. The date will be confirmed within the next two weeks.
Ofcom will hold a seminar and mock auctions ahead of the real thing between November 26 and December 3.
EE already has a head-start on everyone, of course, having rolled out its 1.8GHz 4G network at the end of October.
This was possible because Ofcom allowed the company to convert its 2G spectrum into 4G, a controversial move which proved unpopular with rival networks.
Three has also secured a deal to use some of EE’s spectrum but reports indicate it won’t be rolling out services until later in 2013.
Ofcom has outlined the plan for how things will progress following talks with the government and key networks.
After provision applications are accepted in December the bidding is scheduled to take place in January, after which licenses will be distributed in February.
The plan is for 4G service to then become active in May or June, but of course that depends on how networks handle things.
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