Is Speedy LTE Finally Coming To The UK? Ofcom Sets 4G Auction For Early 2013

It's been a very long time coming, but the UK regulator Ofcom has finally revealed plans for the auction of 4G spectrum, which means that by late next year the UK may, finally, start to see a commercial rollout of 4G services like LTE. Bidding in the auction, for spectrum in the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands, is likely to start in early 2013. It will be the largest-ever spectrum auction in the country, some 80 percent bigger than the 3G auction that saw billions of pounds spent by operators in 2000. And ultimately, the sale will mean at least 98 percent of the UK will have access to mobile broadband. The regulator has been performing a fine balancing act over the last couple of years on this issue -- with larger operators O2, Vodafone and T-Mobile/Orange (the Everything Everywhere JV), wanting to ensure they get sizeable shares of spectrum to serve their existing customer bases, doing battle with smaller operators worried about getting shut out of the process. In the past, that has spelled frustrating delays for all concerned. Today Ofcom hit back, saying "reports of delays are way off the mark." Its solution to the bunfight? It will give a crack at the spectrum to the three biggies, but would also reserve a tranche for a fourth party, a wholesaler like Hutchison 3G or someone else.

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