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Hewitt Launches World's First 3G Mobile Auction |
RA Press Release - 6 March 2000
Patricia Hewitt, the Small Business and E-Commerce Minister, today launched the world’s first auction for third generation (3G) mobile spectrum licences.
The next generation of mobiles will offer much more than just a telephone. Users will be able to surf the internet, rapidly download e-mails, music, high quality pictures and video on the move.
Ms Hewitt said:
"By holding the first 3G spectrum auction in the world the UK is maintaining its lead in the global telecommunications and information markets.
"The outcome of this auction will shape the future of the UK mobile telecoms market.
"That is why I am delighted that so many high quality companies, including nine potential new entrants, have seen the opportunities of 3G and are taking part in the auction.
"We have reserved the largest of the five licences for a new entrant only. This will ensure at least one new company will be offering a 3G service.
"Greater competition will spur a faster roll out of innovative services, fresh approaches, and lower prices. UK consumers will be among the first in the world to reap the benefits of this exciting new technology."
Internet users can monitor each round of bidding for the five licences. The results of each round showing the bidders and their bids will be published on the Radiocommunications Agency auction website: www.spectrumauctions.gov.uk
1. Five licences for blocks of spectrum for 3G services are being auctioned by the Radiocommunications Agency today from 1:30pm.
2. The largest licence is reserved for a new entrant.
3. Reserve prices for the five licences total £500 million.
4. The design of the auction is a modified version of that used by the US Federal Communications Commission. Bids will be submitted by fax with bidding for the licences taking place in a sequence of rounds. In each round participants bid simultaneously for any one of the five licences.
5. Existing operators may not bid for the licence reserved for new entrants. At the end of each round bidders are advised of all bids made. The holder of the highest bid on each licence is required to remain inactive in following rounds until outbid. The auction, which may last several weeks, will end when no further bids are received.
6. The thirteen bidders are taking part in the auction are : 3G (UK) Limited; BT(3G) Limited; Crescent Wireless Limited; Epsilon Tele.com PLC; NTL Mobile Limited; One.Tel Global Wireless Limited; One2One Personal Communications Limited; Orange 3G Limited; SpectrumCo Limited; TIW UMTS (UK) Limited; Telefonica UK Limited; Vodafone Limited; WorldCom Wireless (UK) Limited.
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| RA/2000/03 |
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