Ofcom has made its much awaited announcement of its consultation on its plans to implement the UK auctions of spectrum in 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz for fourth generation (4G) mobile broadband applications. Reading through the consultation document, it is clear that the Ofcom is considering some interesting features for the auction scheduled for Q1 2012. These include, spectrum ‘floors’ (minimum spectrum limits) spectrum ‘caps’ (maximum amount allowable), coverage obligations, on one of the 800 MHz licences, enabling sub –national licensees, possibility of spectrum sharing via low power use etc. One of the advantages of being quite late to implement these auctions is that the UK can learn the lessons from earlier 4 G spectrum auctions that have taken place elsewhere in the last three or four years. (more…)
