Latest Podcast



Featured Articles

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Major UK networks all win 4G spectrum in Ofcom auction

BT is fifth 4G UK winner

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced the winners of the UK’s 4G mobile spectrum auction, which has finally been completed after more than 50 rounds of bidding. It means that faster mobile broadband services will soon be offered to more people by more companies.

The UK’s major mobile networks - Everything Everywhere Ltd (EE), Hutchison 3G UK Ltd (Three UK), Telefónica UK Ltd (O2) and Vodafone Ltd - have all won radio spectrum. In addition, spectrum has been awarded to a new company with a familiar backer: Niche Spectrum Ventures Ltd, a subsidiary of the BT Group.

MLL Telecom Ltd and HKT (UK) Company Ltd, which also entered the auction, were not successful.

These five companies have been awarded a total 250MHz of spectrum across two separate bands: 800MHz and 2.6GHz. The lower frequency band offers better coverage; one of the 800MHz auction lots included an obligation for the winner to provide indoor reception to at least 98% of the UK population by the end of 2017.

Once the companies have all paid, a final stage in the auction process will determine exactly where in the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands each bidder’s new spectrum will be located. Commercial services are then expected to launch from late spring or early summer.

Ed Richards, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, said “This is a positive outcome for competition in the UK, which will lead to faster and more widespread mobile broadband, and substantial benefits for consumers and businesses across the country. We are confident that the UK will be among the most competitive markets in the world for 4G services. 4G coverage will extend far beyond that of existing 3G services, covering 98% of the UK population indoors – and even more when outdoors – which is good news for parts of the country currently underserved by mobile broadband.”

Winning bidder 4G spectrum won Price
Everything Everywhere

2 x 5 MHz of 800MHz &

2 x 35 MHz of 2.6GHz

£588,876,000
Hutchison 3G 2 x 5 MHz of 800MHz £225,000,000
Niche Spectrum Ventures

2 x 15 MHz of 2.6GHz &

1 x 20 MHz of 2.6GHz (unpaired)

£186,476,000
Telefonica UK

2 x 10 MHz of 800MHz

(with coverage obligation)

£550,000,000
Vodafone

2 x 10 MHz of 800MHz,

2 x 20 MHz of 2.6GHz &

1 x 25 MHz of 2.6GHz (unpaired)

£790,761,000

The auction generated £2.341 billion, which must be paid by the end of tomorrow. Previous government statements had expected £3.5 billion to be made from the sale.

[Ofcom announcement]

Print
Author: The Fonecast
2 Comments
Rate this article:
No rating

2 comments on article "Major UK networks all win 4G spectrum in Ofcom auction"

1
0
Avatar image

James Rosewell

2/20/2013 12:35 PM

Finally the UK can start to catch up with the rest of the world. Also total cash generated shows bidders have learnt how to the play the auction game rather than the spectrum is less valuable.


0
0
Avatar image

Mark

2/20/2013 7:55 PM

Auction reserve £1.3 billion, amount paid £2.4 billion, OBR estimate £3.5 billion. We appear to have learned that the UK's mobile networks are smarter than the Office for Budget Responsibility gave them credit for - but perhaps not as smart as Ofcom expected.

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment

Opinion Articles

How AI technology is transforming the smartphone experience

How AI technology is transforming the smartphone experience

From improved performance to personalized recommendations, AI is enhancing the functionality and usability of smartphones for users

By incorporating advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, AI can help to optimize a smartphone's performance, providing users with a faster, more efficient and user-friendly experience.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
Whatever happened to all my tech?

Whatever happened to all my tech?

Mark Bridge revisits his mobile technology reviews

Mark Bridge writes:

I've been taking a look back at the devices I've written about during the past few years. Some are still faithful companions, others... well, let's just say my faith was misplaced.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Predictions for 2016: Network Function Virtualisation, 4G throttling and video calling

Mark Windle, head of marketing at OpenCloud, predicts that this year’s reduction in the number of traditional telecoms operators in some countries will provide an opportunity for other operators to innovate and capture market share in 2016.

He says next year will be a year of rapid change for telecoms… whether it’s MVNO disruption, competitive tariff pricing or simply defence from the ‘dark art’ of hacking.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
Kapture review: the audio-recording wristband

Kapture review: the audio-recording wristband

A 'recording watch' that links to your smartphone

Mark Bridge writes:

The most memorable moments in life often go unrecorded. You don't have your camera in your hands. Your finger is still hovering over the 'pause' button on your audio recorder. Or you were simply too busy experiencing whatever was happening. It's all about the one that got away.

That's where Kapture can help.

Author: The Fonecast
4 Comments
Article rating: 4.0
Making mobile websites work better

Making mobile websites work better

Device detection and responsive design explained

Mark Bridge writes:

James Rosewell shows me a colourful roll of paper that's the width of an iPhone but well over three metres long. When I look closer, I can see it's a printed copy of the Wall Street Journal's mobile website. That's a lot of scrolling to do... and a pretty unfriendly user experience for anyone reading the news online. Why does it work so badly?

Author: The Fonecast
1 Comments
Article rating: 4.0
RSS
1345678910Last

Recent Podcasts

Reviewing our 2015 mobile industry predictions... and looking forward to 2016

Podcast - 15th January 2016

Iain Graham, James Rosewell and Mark Bridge return to review their mobile industry predictions from last year. Which mergers, partnerships and developments did they forecast correctly... and which didn’t work out as planned?

Later in the programme, the team anticipates some of the topics that will be hitting the headlines during 2016.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Podcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Podcast - 6th March 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Looking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

Podcast - 27th February 2015

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Interview with Chris Millington of Doro about mobile retailing, wearables and technology for older consumers

Podcast - 24th February 2015

In today's programme Mark Bridge talks to Chris Millington, who's Managing Director for Doro UK and Ireland.

They discuss the state of mobile retailing in the UK, the future of wearable devices and - as you might expect - smartphones for seniors.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

A month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

Podcast - 30th January 2015

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
1345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Twitter @TheFonecast RSS podcast feed
Find us on Facebook Subscribe free via iTunes

Archive Calendar

«March 2024»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
26272829123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
1234567

Archive

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement