Ofcom Delays Spectrum Auctions

Ofcom is to delay two of its spectrum auctions, for television and mobile phone spectrum, due to prolonged discussions over terms of sale and a backlog of responses.

The auction of the mobile phone spectrum was due to go ahead by the end of the year, but it has now been put back to early 2008.

It has been delayed as mobile phone companies want explicit rules on how the spectrum could be used so that the owners of expensive existing licences are not put at a disadvantage.

However, Ofcom intended to treat the spectrum as technology neutral and therefore sell it to the highest bidders. The regulator will publish a revised document in July.

Meanwhile the digital dividend review, which will see the sale of spectrum following the digital switchover (see Digital Switchover Gets October Start Date), has had so many responses that Ofcom says it will need additional time to process them.

The digital dividend review had been scheduled for the summer, but owing to the large amount of responses, it has now been put back to the autumn.

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk