More 700 MHz spectrum to be auctioned

The federal government has announced that it will auction 2 x 15 MHz of unallocated 700 MHz digital dividend spectrum “to support mobile broadband services across Australia”.

700 MHz spectrum is highly suitable for 4G LTE mobile broadband services.

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) had earlier expressed interest in acquiring 2 x 10 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum that remained unsold in the 2013 digital dividend auction.

VHA proposed acquiring the spectrum by direct allocation.

Following VHA’s interest, the government opened a consultation process in May 2016 to gauge interest from other potential industry players.

The consultation indicated strong market interest, with seven submissions received.

As a result, the government “has determined that the competing interests would best be resolved through a competitive process”, said Senator Mitch Fifield, Minister for Communications, in a statement.

The auction will be conducted by the ACMA, and the government “will provide a formal direction to the ACMA on the reserve price, allocation limits and other relevant matters”.

“Advice will be sought from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to inform a decision about appropriate allocation limits for the auction,” added the Minister.

Image courtesy NASA.