Movement on spectrum
09 August 2010
Recently Communications Minister Ed Vaizey announced the Government's intention to auction the 2.6GHz and 800MHz frequencies - potentially paving the way for next generation mobile broadband services using 3G and 4G technology. The auction is likely to take place in late 2011, which means new services could launch in 2012.
The proposals are really quite different from the proposals put forward by Kip Meek, the Independent Spectrum Broker, which were very detailed. This announcement gives Ofcom much more scope to decide how the auctions should be conducted.
It will also mean that Ofcom will need to do the hard work of assessing the impacts on competition and finding a way forward that will be acceptable to all the mobile operators. A tough call!
The Panel will be keeping a close eye on progress to make sure that the consumer perspective is right at the heart of this debate.