Ofcom Plans 4G Spectrum Auction for January

Ofcom, the official regulator for the UK, published final regulations and a timetable for the 4G mobile spectrum auction. Ofcom has set  the reserve prices for the spectrum at £1.3 billion -- making this the largest ever sale of mobile airwaves in the UK.

Applications are due in December.  Qualification will happen in December, followed by the principal stage of the auction in January. New 4G services using this spectrum are expected to go live in May/June 2013.

"Today marks an important shift from preparation to the delivery of the auction, which will see widespread 4G mobile services from a range of providers. The entire industry is now focused on the auction itself, with a shared goal of delivering new and improved mobile services for consumers," said Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/