Ofcom's 4G Auction Results

wavejockglw · 20-02-2013, 07:12

Just announced:

Everything Everywhere Ltd

2 x 5 MHz of 800 MHz and
2 x 35 MHz of 2.6 GHz
£588,876,000

Hutchison 3G UK Ltd

2 x 5 MHz of 800 MHz
£225,000,000

Niche Spectrum Ventures Ltd (a subsidiary of BT Group plc)

2 x 15 MHz of 2.6 GHz and
1 x 20 MHz of 2.6 GHz (unpaired)
£186,476,000

Telefónica UK Ltd

2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz (coverage obligation lot)
£550,000,000

Vodafone Ltd

2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz,
2 x 20 MHz of 2.6 GHz and
1 x 25 MHz of 2.6 GHz (unpaired)
£790,761,000

Total £2,341,113,000

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/02/20...obile-auction/

Jay-Cee · 20-02-2013, 07:24

so EE got the most? what does 800 mhz and 2.6ghz mean for spectrum?

legends wear 7 · 20-02-2013, 07:25

Vodafone got the best there

daclick · 20-02-2013, 07:26

I don't know what all them stats mean are vodafone and o2s results extra good them having 2x10mhz of 800?

Vodafone spent the most but it looks to me like they got the most

legends wear 7 · 20-02-2013, 07:29

Yup both Vodafone and O2 have a massive market position of the superior sub 1ghz frequency what with their current 900mhz holding

prking · 20-02-2013, 07:35

I think all the bidders will be reasonably pleased by the outcome. O2 and Vodafone in particular now have a good slice of the premium spectrum. Those that wanted the higher frequencies for more specialised use will be pleased and Three/EE have now got some prime 800Mhz spectrum.

interactiv-uk · 20-02-2013, 07:38

With Telefonica getting the coverage obligation lot and the current project to roll out 3G with Vodafone, maybe it won't be long before people stop complaining about their coverage!

moox · 20-02-2013, 07:54

Am I reading this right... O2 got the coverage obligation? I am about to keel over in laughter.

How many months before they're hauled in to explain why they aren't meeting their obligations?

I hope their core network can cope with the demand, they must be upgrading to stainless steel tins and the best string.

prking · 20-02-2013, 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Am I reading this right... O2 got the coverage obligation? I am about to keel over in laughter.

How many months before they're hauled in to explain why they aren't meeting their obligations?

I hope their core network can cope with the demand, they must be upgrading to stainless steel tins and the best string.

You really do need to stop living in 2009. There is an intelligent discussion to be had here about the uses of the different frequencies and what impact this auction will have on consumers. It also reveals a lack of understanding of the 4G roll out process.

But some cheap shot at a network you don't like is your contribution?

moox · 20-02-2013, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

You really do need to stop living in 2009. There is an intelligent discussion to be had here about the uses of the different frequencies and what impact this auction will have on consumers. It also reveals a lack of understanding of the 4G roll out process.

But some cheap shot at a network you don't like is your contribution?

O2 have patently shown that they were unable to roll out the previous generation network in a sensible amount of time, so it is justified to ask if they will do the same this time.

I appreciate that O2 is your favourite network but people should be allowed to criticise the auction outcome.

You do not have to be in 2009 to know that O2 still has poor 3G coverage and a unreliable network (two very major outages happened in 2012)

prking · 20-02-2013, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

O2 have patently shown that they were unable to roll out the previous generation network in a sensible amount of time, so it is justified to ask if they will do the same this time.

I appreciate that O2 is your favourite network but people should be allowed to criticise the auction outcome.

You do not have to be in 2009 to know that O2 still has poor 3G coverage and a unreliable network (two very major outages happened in 2012)

We have had this discussion several times, so I'm not going to repeat it. People can look at our posting histories if they are interested.

By all means criticise the outcome of the auction, but do it based on a full understanding of the situation now and not as it was in 2009.

denyo1977 · 20-02-2013, 08:12

Sorry for my complete noob questions.
But why does only one network get coverage obligation? And to me it looks like Three didn't get that much (ok, I know they will still get 1,800Mhz from EE).

wavejockglw · 20-02-2013, 08:19

Both Vodafone and O2 have won the same amount of 800MHz spectrum and have stated that they will both roll-out their 4G together so one would expect both companies to have similar coverage throughout the UK with 800MHz and both will likely work to the timetable set by the coverage obligation that applies to O2 (Telefonica).

Overall the auction looks like a good result for the networks and consumers.

legends wear 7 · 20-02-2013, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by denyo1977

Sorry for my complete noob questions.
But why does only one network get coverage obligation? And to me it looks like Three didn't get that much (ok, I know they will still get 1,800Mhz from EE).

one lot had a coverage obligation but was a cheaper lot to buy.

legends wear 7 · 20-02-2013, 08:22

Looking forward to George Osbournes reaction, got £1bn hole in his winter budget

DevonBloke · 20-02-2013, 08:40

Pretty pleased O2 got the CO lot. As wave says it should ensure both VOD and O2 rollout decent coverage over the whole country. I will be quite refreshing to be able to recommend a network to a customer based on price/features rather than coverage. I've been saying "avoid Vodafone/O2 if you want a smartphone" for as long as I can remember.
Good to see Three getting a nice chunk to go with their 1800.

In the last week Three have turned off 2G fall back where I live. My Brother is livid. We are very rural. With this auction Three have gone from not having any low frequency spectrum to not having any high frequency spectrum. Good move!

flagpole · 20-02-2013, 08:44

the government would have made more money if it was divided in to less bundles. the 3G raised a lot because their were 5 licences and for 4 companies it was unthinkable not to have one. but it's just another tax.

vodafone have bought a butt load. i wonder what they plan on doing with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends wear 7

Looking forward to George Osbournes reaction, got £1bn hole in his winter budget

increase taxes by £1bn somewhere or other. you understand that it's not really his budget, it's not his money?

Jwhiterz · 20-02-2013, 08:46

I don't get what voda want to do with all that 2600 I mean the penetration into buildings is not going to be the best. Maybe like home broadband?

flagpole · 20-02-2013, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jwhiterz

I don't get what voda want to do with all that 2600 I mean the penetration into buildings is not going to be the best. Maybe like home broadband?

i wondered that.

i'm not sure what it means. it might just be to reduce the load on the sub 1GHz bands by taking the outdoor/strong signal.

are they also allowed to recycle all their 2G spectrum? so maybe it's not as top loaded as it looks.

DevonBloke · 20-02-2013, 08:55

I don't think 2600 will be as bad as everyone is making out. It's being compared to CDMA on 2100 and the conclusion is it's higher so it'll be worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the fact that LTE isn't a CDMA technology, makes LTE over 2600 the same or better than 3G over 2100.
If its so bad, why have EE and Vodafone bought so much?
For Both these networks the 2600 will massively increase capacity in urban areas, taking the load off the lower frequencies.

Redcoat · 20-02-2013, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavejockglw

Telefónica UK Ltd

2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz (coverage obligation lot)
£550,000,000

They'll be some smart alecs here spitting features at that news!

To me it looks like Vodafone got the best deal out of the auction closely followed by EE. All four incumbent operators getting 800MHz spectrum should provide less excuses for any of them in the long run.

Interesting to see that other than BT's subsidiary, Vodafone also got unpaired 2.6GHz spectrum. I wonder if they see TD-LTE as having a long term future for mobile, or are they looking at possible fixed wireless broadband as well?

Edit: Also just noticed that 3 got their 800Mhz slice of the pie for the minimum offer of £225 million in part to do with Ofcom's rule of insisting of at least four networks being available. A cracking bargain for them.

legends wear 7 · 20-02-2013, 09:49

Vodafone carry a substantial radio backhaul network and have just purchased cable and wireless, would think 2600 is going to be used on backhaul/core activities.

MiltonBlake · 20-02-2013, 10:06

Hello

Vodaphone got the license for free, if you consider their unpaid tax bill.

In fact, if the Government had withheld license until Vodaphone had paid tax owed, George Osborne would be several billion ahead.

beecart · 20-02-2013, 10:08

I don't understand.

Why has O2 only got 800mhz ? Is this detrimental ? Or will vodafone share with O2 ?

legends wear 7 · 20-02-2013, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiltonBlake

Hello

Vodaphone got the license for free, if you consider their unpaid tax bill.

In fact, if the Government had withheld license until Vodaphone had paid tax owed, George Osborne would be several billion ahead.

completely off topic but had to answer as you are spouting untruths.

Vodafone paid and continue to pay every penny of their tax bill.

20-02-2013, 07:12	#1
wavejockglw Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 10,276	Ofcom's 4G Auction Results Just announced: Everything Everywhere Ltd 2 x 5 MHz of 800 MHz and 2 x 35 MHz of 2.6 GHz £588,876,000 Hutchison 3G UK Ltd 2 x 5 MHz of 800 MHz £225,000,000 Niche Spectrum Ventures Ltd (a subsidiary of BT Group plc) 2 x 15 MHz of 2.6 GHz and 1 x 20 MHz of 2.6 GHz (unpaired) £186,476,000 Telefónica UK Ltd 2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz (coverage obligation lot) £550,000,000 Vodafone Ltd 2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz, 2 x 20 MHz of 2.6 GHz and 1 x 25 MHz of 2.6 GHz (unpaired) £790,761,000 Total £2,341,113,000 http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/02/20...obile-auction/

20-02-2013, 07:24	#2
Jay-Cee Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,857	so EE got the most? what does 800 mhz and 2.6ghz mean for spectrum?

20-02-2013, 07:25	#3
legends wear 7 Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,070	Vodafone got the best there

20-02-2013, 07:26	#4
daclick Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,336	I don't know what all them stats mean are vodafone and o2s results extra good them having 2x10mhz of 800? Vodafone spent the most but it looks to me like they got the most

20-02-2013, 07:29	#5
legends wear 7 Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,070	Yup both Vodafone and O2 have a massive market position of the superior sub 1ghz frequency what with their current 900mhz holding

20-02-2013, 07:35	#6
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	I think all the bidders will be reasonably pleased by the outcome. O2 and Vodafone in particular now have a good slice of the premium spectrum. Those that wanted the higher frequencies for more specialised use will be pleased and Three/EE have now got some prime 800Mhz spectrum.

20-02-2013, 07:38	#7
interactiv-uk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 587	With Telefonica getting the coverage obligation lot and the current project to roll out 3G with Vodafone, maybe it won't be long before people stop complaining about their coverage!

20-02-2013, 07:54	#8
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Am I reading this right... O2 got the coverage obligation? I am about to keel over in laughter. How many months before they're hauled in to explain why they aren't meeting their obligations? I hope their core network can cope with the demand, they must be upgrading to stainless steel tins and the best string.

20-02-2013, 07:57	#9
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by moox Am I reading this right... O2 got the coverage obligation? I am about to keel over in laughter. How many months before they're hauled in to explain why they aren't meeting their obligations? I hope their core network can cope with the demand, they must be upgrading to stainless steel tins and the best string. You really do need to stop living in 2009. There is an intelligent discussion to be had here about the uses of the different frequencies and what impact this auction will have on consumers. It also reveals a lack of understanding of the 4G roll out process. But some cheap shot at a network you don't like is your contribution?

20-02-2013, 08:01	#10
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by prking You really do need to stop living in 2009. There is an intelligent discussion to be had here about the uses of the different frequencies and what impact this auction will have on consumers. It also reveals a lack of understanding of the 4G roll out process. But some cheap shot at a network you don't like is your contribution? O2 have patently shown that they were unable to roll out the previous generation network in a sensible amount of time, so it is justified to ask if they will do the same this time. I appreciate that O2 is your favourite network but people should be allowed to criticise the auction outcome. You do not have to be in 2009 to know that O2 still has poor 3G coverage and a unreliable network (two very major outages happened in 2012)

20-02-2013, 08:11	#11
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by moox O2 have patently shown that they were unable to roll out the previous generation network in a sensible amount of time, so it is justified to ask if they will do the same this time. I appreciate that O2 is your favourite network but people should be allowed to criticise the auction outcome. You do not have to be in 2009 to know that O2 still has poor 3G coverage and a unreliable network (two very major outages happened in 2012) We have had this discussion several times, so I'm not going to repeat it. People can look at our posting histories if they are interested. By all means criticise the outcome of the auction, but do it based on a full understanding of the situation now and not as it was in 2009.

20-02-2013, 08:12	#12
denyo1977 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 695	Sorry for my complete noob questions. But why does only one network get coverage obligation? And to me it looks like Three didn't get that much (ok, I know they will still get 1,800Mhz from EE).

20-02-2013, 08:19	#13
wavejockglw Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 10,276	Both Vodafone and O2 have won the same amount of 800MHz spectrum and have stated that they will both roll-out their 4G together so one would expect both companies to have similar coverage throughout the UK with 800MHz and both will likely work to the timetable set by the coverage obligation that applies to O2 (Telefonica). Overall the auction looks like a good result for the networks and consumers.

20-02-2013, 08:20	#14
legends wear 7 Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,070	Quote: Originally Posted by denyo1977 Sorry for my complete noob questions. But why does only one network get coverage obligation? And to me it looks like Three didn't get that much (ok, I know they will still get 1,800Mhz from EE). one lot had a coverage obligation but was a cheaper lot to buy.

20-02-2013, 08:22	#15
legends wear 7 Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,070	Looking forward to George Osbournes reaction, got £1bn hole in his winter budget

20-02-2013, 08:40	#16
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Pretty pleased O2 got the CO lot. As wave says it should ensure both VOD and O2 rollout decent coverage over the whole country. I will be quite refreshing to be able to recommend a network to a customer based on price/features rather than coverage. I've been saying "avoid Vodafone/O2 if you want a smartphone" for as long as I can remember. Good to see Three getting a nice chunk to go with their 1800. In the last week Three have turned off 2G fall back where I live. My Brother is livid. We are very rural. With this auction Three have gone from not having any low frequency spectrum to not having any high frequency spectrum. Good move!

20-02-2013, 08:44	#17
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	the government would have made more money if it was divided in to less bundles. the 3G raised a lot because their were 5 licences and for 4 companies it was unthinkable not to have one. but it's just another tax. vodafone have bought a butt load. i wonder what they plan on doing with it. Quote: Originally Posted by legends wear 7 Looking forward to George Osbournes reaction, got £1bn hole in his winter budget increase taxes by £1bn somewhere or other. you understand that it's not really his budget, it's not his money?

20-02-2013, 08:46	#18
Jwhiterz Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: South Wales (Brecon Beacons) Posts: 490	I don't get what voda want to do with all that 2600 I mean the penetration into buildings is not going to be the best. Maybe like home broadband?

20-02-2013, 08:49	#19
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	Quote: Originally Posted by Jwhiterz I don't get what voda want to do with all that 2600 I mean the penetration into buildings is not going to be the best. Maybe like home broadband? i wondered that. i'm not sure what it means. it might just be to reduce the load on the sub 1GHz bands by taking the outdoor/strong signal. are they also allowed to recycle all their 2G spectrum? so maybe it's not as top loaded as it looks.

20-02-2013, 08:55	#20
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	I don't think 2600 will be as bad as everyone is making out. It's being compared to CDMA on 2100 and the conclusion is it's higher so it'll be worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the fact that LTE isn't a CDMA technology, makes LTE over 2600 the same or better than 3G over 2100. If its so bad, why have EE and Vodafone bought so much? For Both these networks the 2600 will massively increase capacity in urban areas, taking the load off the lower frequencies.

20-02-2013, 09:21	#21
Redcoat Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The wilds of West Tyrone Posts: 2,122	Quote: Originally Posted by wavejockglw Telefónica UK Ltd 2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz (coverage obligation lot) £550,000,000 They'll be some smart alecs here spitting features at that news! To me it looks like Vodafone got the best deal out of the auction closely followed by EE. All four incumbent operators getting 800MHz spectrum should provide less excuses for any of them in the long run. Interesting to see that other than BT's subsidiary, Vodafone also got unpaired 2.6GHz spectrum. I wonder if they see TD-LTE as having a long term future for mobile, or are they looking at possible fixed wireless broadband as well? Edit: Also just noticed that 3 got their 800Mhz slice of the pie for the minimum offer of £225 million in part to do with Ofcom's rule of insisting of at least four networks being available. A cracking bargain for them.

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Ofcom's 4G Auction Results

20-02-2013, 09:49	#22
legends wear 7 Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,070	Vodafone carry a substantial radio backhaul network and have just purchased cable and wireless, would think 2600 is going to be used on backhaul/core activities.

20-02-2013, 10:06	#23
MiltonBlake Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,901	Hello Vodaphone got the license for free, if you consider their unpaid tax bill. In fact, if the Government had withheld license until Vodaphone had paid tax owed, George Osborne would be several billion ahead.

20-02-2013, 10:08	#24
beecart Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 383	I don't understand. Why has O2 only got 800mhz ? Is this detrimental ? Or will vodafone share with O2 ?

20-02-2013, 10:13	#25
legends wear 7 Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,070	Quote: Originally Posted by MiltonBlake Hello Vodaphone got the license for free, if you consider their unpaid tax bill. In fact, if the Government had withheld license until Vodaphone had paid tax owed, George Osborne would be several billion ahead. completely off topic but had to answer as you are spouting untruths. Vodafone paid and continue to pay every penny of their tax bill.