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Monday, November 10, 2014

Ofcom moves closer to the next UK radio spectrum auction

Communications regulator Ofcom has invited potential bidders to comment on its proposals to auction spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands. This auction is expected to take place in around 12 to 18 months’ time, raising in excess of £50 million.

The radio spectrum is thought to be of particular interest to the mobile industry. A number of countries outside Europe - including China, India and Australia - have licensed the 2.3GHz frequency band for high-speed 4G mobile broadband networks, while the 3.4 GHz band is currently being used for 4G wireless broadband in six countries including the UK.

UK Broadband Limited uses the 3.4GHz spectrum in London for its ‘Relish’ mobile broadband service.

Ofcom intends to auction a total of 190MHz of spectrum in the two bands, which is the equivalent of around three-quarters of the 4G auction last year. The spectrum is currently used by the Ministry of Defence but is being freed up for civil use.

In addition, Ofcom plans to introduce a ‘safeguard cap’ that would prevent any mobile operator from holding more than 37% of relevant spectrum.

Philip Marnick, Ofcom Spectrum Group Director, said “Today marks an important step in ensuring that the UK has sufficient spectrum to support our wireless economy. It comes in response to the fast pace of change and innovation taking place in the communications sector, which is placing increased demands on how spectrum is used by all industries. One important way of meeting this demand is making new spectrum available and its use as flexible as possible.”

Responses to the consultation are required by 23rd January 2015. It follows an initial consultation last year.

[Ofcom proposals]

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Opinion Articles

Hotel phone charges demonstrate the value of packing your mobile

Mark Bridge writes:

I like hotels. Free biscuits in your room and all the portions of UHT milk you can drink. But the phone calls... that's a different story.

Dearie me, you're paying for that hospitality tray when you pick up the phone.

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Charlie Chaplin, a mobile phone and a time-travel mystery

Mark Bridge writes:

A Charlie Chaplin DVD includes an image of a woman using a mobile phone in 1928.

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Author: The Fonecast
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Why the Sat-Nav Application Model is Broken

James Rosewell writes:

Most Sat-Nav applications are now obtained via the Application Store used on the mobile phone. Navigon have gone so far as to remove access to their application via any other route. Application Stores are now the only choice. This move to a platform-specific sales model is a massive mistake.

Author: The Fonecast
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Come on, Steve Jobs – why don't you attack a few more mobile companies?

Mark Bridge writes:

Mark Zuckerberg's girlfriend breaks up with him acrimoniously. So off he goes and creates Facebook. Yes, there's nothing like an insult to fire up the creativity. Well, that's certainly what the plot of The Social Network would like you to think.

And, you know, it's got a point. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that sticking two fingers up at the opposition seems to be the new way of doing business.

Author: The Fonecast
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The positive cult of giffgaff

Mark Bridge writes:

Wouldn't it be great if mobile customers loved their networks so much that they'd fight for them?  Ofcom would be inundated with complaints from O2 users about its decision not to allow GSM frequencies to be used for 3G services. Vodafone customers would demand that Nokia pre-loaded the N8 with a Vodafone 360 application. Orange users would be sending petitions to radio stations, asking them to implement HD Voice on phone-ins. And giffgaff users would take to online forums to defend the service they receive.

Oh, hang on. That last one's already happening.

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