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Ofcom to auction AWS/WiMAX spectrum
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Ofcom announced that it would auction off three licensing bands of radio spectrum for mobile broadband and advanced wireless services like mobile TV. The licenses include spectrum bands: 2500-2690 MHz, 2010-2025 MHz and 2290-2300 MHz. Ofcom noted, "We expect fierce bidding and high prices, and we're not going to impose requirements on the bidders." WiMAX looks to be the sector Ofcom is courting with the move, but the official list of potential uses is as follows:
- mobile broadband wireless services, offering high-speed, high-capacity mobile data connections using technologies such as WiMAX;
- mobile multimedia services, such as mobile television;
- advanced mobile services using technologies such as UMTS and its evolutions; and
- mobile broadcast, such as wireless cameras for outside broadcasts and temporary or portable video links.
While some of the spectrum going to the auction block was originally set aside for 3G services, analysts wonder whether the 3G sector would have enough money to participate.
For more on Ofcom's upcoming auction:
- see this article in The Register
Comments
Posted by Jakomi | December 12, 2006 - 4:30am
What is it with goverments? The carriers got burnt with 3G and have not recouped their investments.
All that happens when governments like the British get greedy is that consumers suffer and pay the price in higher unreasonable mobile tarrifs.
In the end ridiculous licence prices dampen consumer uptake (due to operators having to charge high prices to recoup their investments forced onto them by goverment)and slow down the pace of roll out.
Where is the benefit for the consumer with goverments demanding stupidly high licence prices? Where are the benefits for carriers? Where are the benfits for the industry as a whole?
I just hope the industry stands up to goverment, and lets them know that high license fees are not economically viable!
Make the spectrums free and encourage true and fast realisation of WiMAX I say!
Posted by Anonymous | April 5, 2007 - 11:30am
Jakomi is so right, and clearly Ofcom, just like its former body, are there to protect BT from competition, as they did against C&W's fixed line Mercury Operation, and their Bulldog broadband service.
With Pipex unable to make a go of it despite having held a unique RF Licence, and now being up For Sale, what makes Ofcom think anyone would be mad enough to pay heavily for one of their licences.
Ofcom should realise that dedicated spectrum models are passed their sell-by date as technology is rapidly advancing for sprectrum hopping telecommunications. Any unused Governement frequencies would be ideal for the new handsets as they begin to appear.
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