Spectrum in the 2.6GHz and 2010MHz bands in the UK is expected to play an important role in the development of advanced mobile data services and is of particular interest to operators looking to adopt the next generation of wireless data technologies such as LTE and WiMAX.
Making this spectrum available will support the introduction of innovative mobile services and foster competition in the provision of these services in the UK. This has the potential to deliver substantial benefits for consumers and the UK economy as a whole, as well as enabling the UK to remain in the vanguard of European mobile development and deployment.
We have previously set out our proposals to auction this spectrum on a technology neutral basis, using a flexible auction approach to allow different potential uses to compete efficiently for spectrum. These proposals drew a substantial number of comments from stakeholders on a wide variety of issues, including the timing of the award, the technical and non-technical licence conditions that should be applied, the approach to spectrum packaging as well as the auction rules and procedures themselves. We expect to be in a position to make a Policy Statement in respect of all these matters in early 2008, and (subject to that Statement) to invite applications to participate in the award in spring 2008, with the auction itself able to take place in summer 2008.
This is the same timetable for making the regulations, and holding the award, as previously advised, though we have decided to hold a non-statutory consultation on the draft regulations before proceeding to the statutory consultation. This will allow interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the draft rules, and will allow us to take account of developments in relation to the Radio Spectrum Committee.
In light of the stakeholder feedback on the August 2007 Discussion Document, and drawing on comments and questions raised in a workshop on auction rules and procedures that we held on 29 November 2007, we are now in a position to:
- present further detail and, where relevant, updated proposals for the rules and procedures for the auction of the 2.6GHz and 2010MHz bands; and
- demonstrate how these rules and procedures can be translated into the form of draft auction regulations.