Ofcom Releases 2017 Spectrum Auction Rules

Recently the UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has enacted a 2017 spectrum auction rules, including the prohibition of British Telecom (BT) spectrum auction in 2017, limiting its available frequency to less than half of the nation's available frequencies.

In 2017 the UK will be the main auction 2.3GHz frequency band and 3.4GHz frequency band of 190MHz spectrum. With the release of these spectrums, the total available mobile spectrum in the UK will increase from 647 MHz to 837 MHz, an increase of 29%. 2.3GHz is currently used for mobile data services on most smartphones, so operators who have access to this band spectrum will rapidly improve their service capabilities. The 3.4GHz band is not currently used for mobile services, but is likely to be used for 4G or even 5G services in the future. Ofcom has not made any restrictions on this band.

BT already has 45% of the available frequency in the UK after British Telecom acquired British mobile operator EE, and Ofcom said BT could no longer participate in the 2017 spectrum auction, as BT's market share would exceed 50%. This means that only "3", O2 and Vodafone three operators can participate in the auction, but Ofcom operators can still auction the number of spectrum set upper limit.

In addition, Ofcom has no coverage requirements for these spectrums. Ofcom said that these frequencies are more used to enhance network service capabilities, rather than expanding network coverage. Ofcom spectrum director Philip Mannick explained that the spectrum of resources for the UK's future economic vitally important, Ofcom is committed to equitable distribution of spectrum resources.