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2.3GHz and 3.4GHz 4G auction


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Old 26-05-2015, 13:38
Denco1
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Ofcom has today published an update on plans to release valuable new airwaves that could be used to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband services.

Decisions announced today will help Ofcom set the groundwork for the spectrum award, including how these frequencies will be licenced and the mechanics of the auction.

Potential bidders are also being asked for their views on how to best proceed with the auction.

While no specific uses for this spectrum have been prescribed, it is likely to interest the mobile industry, which relies on spectrum to offer internet services to consumers’ smartphones and tablets.

The 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz spectrum bands are being released for civil use and could be suitable for providing very high data capacity.

Since Ofcom’s last consultation on the auction, BT has announced plans to buy EE, while Hutchison Whampoa - the owner of Three - has reached agreement to acquire O2 from its current owner Telefonica. If the latter merger goes ahead it would reduce the UK wholesale mobile market from four major operators to three.

It is not Ofcom’s role to decide whether these mergers should go ahead. This rests with the relevant competition authorities. However, Ofcom has a duty to secure the optimum use of spectrum.

Flexible approach

Ofcom’s objective is to award the frequencies in a way that will allow consumers to enjoy greater access to high-capacity mobile internet without undue delay.

Today’s consultation invites potential bidders to comment on an option where Ofcom would award most of the newly available spectrum later this year, or early in 2016. The remaining frequencies would be held back for award at a later date.

This approach may be preferable to the alternatives of either awarding all of the spectrum, or delaying the award - although both those options remain open. Ofcom will determine later in the year the best approach to making the spectrum available, following stakeholder responses and the condition of the market.

Licensing decisions

Under decisions announced today, Ofcom would issue licences for the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands for an indefinite period, but with an initial term of 20 years after which licence fees may be payable.

There will be no coverage obligations placed on this spectrum. This is because the frequencies being auctioned are better suited for high capacity and faster speeds, rather than achieving wide geographical coverage.

The closing date for this consultation is 26 June.
http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2015/...pectrum-bands/
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Old 26-05-2015, 13:40
Denco1
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Good to see only some of the spectrum is being sold before the announcements of launchers.
The total amount of spectrum available is 4x10MHz for 2300MHz and 30x5MHz for 3.4GHz
They wish to hold back 60MHz of the total 190MHz.
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/bin.../statement.pdf
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Old 26-05-2015, 13:53
moox
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Might have some use in urban networks, or in using 4G (or something newer/better) for the very rural for broadband access. Not going to be great for indoor penetration, presumably
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Old 26-05-2015, 13:54
Old Endeavour
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Meanwhile in my town (and many others!) 4G of any sort on any frequency from Three would a better start.

What is the point in buying and having more frequencies when some companies ain't yet using the ones they've already got?

It's like worrying about how to afford the turkey for the starving children when you haven't given them the rice you already have.
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Old 26-05-2015, 13:55
Denco1
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I can actually see how Angie could gain traction in the UK, with this much spectrum available it should be cheap.
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Old 26-05-2015, 14:03
moox
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Meanwhile in my town (and many others!) 4G of any sort on any frequency from Three would a better start.

What is the point in buying and having more frequencies when some companies ain't yet using the ones they've already got?

It's like worrying about how to afford the turkey for the starving children when you haven't given them the rice you already have.
Because spectrum auctions are a one time thing, so you buy what you think you'll need in the future. It's something you'd like as much of as is affordable

Meanwhile they can put in a 4G cell site serving "Old Endeavour Towers" whenever they feel like it.

Plus, the profit from 4Ging your area is rather smaller than being able to ensure great network performance nationwide through having adequate spectrum
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Old 26-05-2015, 14:07
DevonBloke
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Might have some use in urban networks, or in using 4G (or something newer/better) for the very rural for broadband access. Not going to be great for indoor penetration, presumably
When you think about it 2300 is only 200Mhz higher than 2100 so I think it would be perfectly usable everywhere.
Half of 2100's problem at the moment in my opinion is not that it doesn't go very far, it's because of the coverage restrictions WCDMA causes generally.

I've often thought that it would be really interesting to be able to temporarily switch 2G to 2100 so the two (1800 vs 2100) could be compared side by side. I really don't think the extra 300Mhz 2100 has over 1800 would make that much difference.
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Old 26-05-2015, 16:37
lightspeed2398
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This will be quite interesting if the merger takes place. EE doesn't need any spectrum. Vodafone could do with a tiny bit more but not much. o2 and Three need the spectrum but if they're one combined body they wouldn't be able to have it all surely.
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Old 26-05-2015, 17:27
clewsy
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I wouldn't sell this yet if I was Ofcom as there could not be that much competition to drive up the price. Hold back and wait until they all need it for 5g - then the price will increase but at the moment can't see the Gov getting a big return.
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Old 26-05-2015, 17:54
mrgs12
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When you think about it 2300 is only 200Mhz higher than 2100 so I think it would be perfectly usable everywhere.
Half of 2100's problem at the moment in my opinion is not that it doesn't go very far, it's because of the coverage restrictions WCDMA causes generally.

I've often thought that it would be really interesting to be able to temporarily switch 2G to 2100 so the two (1800 vs 2100) could be compared side by side. I really don't think the extra 300Mhz 2100 has over 1800 would make that much difference.
Isn't it about mast position too, nearest mast is 2 miles away only 900 Gsm reaches the town, 3 and ee no signal so would there be any benefit?
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Old 26-05-2015, 18:25
moox
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When you think about it 2300 is only 200Mhz higher than 2100 so I think it would be perfectly usable everywhere.
Half of 2100's problem at the moment in my opinion is not that it doesn't go very far, it's because of the coverage restrictions WCDMA causes generally.

I've often thought that it would be really interesting to be able to temporarily switch 2G to 2100 so the two (1800 vs 2100) could be compared side by side. I really don't think the extra 300Mhz 2100 has over 1800 would make that much difference.
2100 already has issues, though - 2300 will make that slightly worse.

I live in a house with thick walls. 2.1GHz doesn't do well, 2.4GHz or 5GHz wifi are even worse. I don't see 2.3GHz from a cell site quite some distance away being great either.

(whereas Vodafone's 900MHz 3G gets right in, but it has crap backhaul)

I couldn't tell you how 1800MHz 4G does because I don't yet have good enough coverage (it works upstairs but that's expected)
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Old 26-05-2015, 21:26
lightspeed2398
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That's why Vodafone have gone for their dual 800/2600 strategy, makes sense, even if they might not do it right. If Three and o2 merge they'll have 800/900/1800/2100/2300 and potentially 3400. This is a range of frequencies which if they pull their act together should be able to get coverage and speed. They could use the 2300 everywhere from masts broadcasting 800/1800 as well and that provides capacity and use 3400 in cities/towns. That'd provide a bloody good network if they can do backhaul.
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Old 26-05-2015, 21:55
Chrysalis
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given how crowded 2.4ghz wifi is, isnt it more sense to allow 2.3ghx on wifi?

how many phones support these frequencies?
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Old 27-05-2015, 08:50
Carl_Boys
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Will 3 allow to reform there 2100 3G frequency to LTE anytime soon?
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Old 27-05-2015, 12:20
lightspeed2398
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Will 3 allow to reform there 2100 3G frequency to LTE anytime soon?
Considering that they haven't got much other usable spectrum and they keep saying that they don't need to rollout 4g as quickly as everyone else because their 3g network is quick than everyone else's it's unlikely in the immediate future. Band 1 LTE will only be used if they can't secure enough spectrum in the 2300Mhz/3400Mhz auction. 3g is inefficient but at the moment Three have nothing else. Although this could all change because of the merger.
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Old 27-05-2015, 20:57
enapace
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Honestly surprised a small part of 3400MHz hasn't been sectioned of to help with BDUK it would be useful for areas where Satellite is only option to do a fixed wireless solution for those areas would be much more reliable.
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Old 21-11-2016, 07:30
Everything Goes
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Ofcom have released further details on this auction. EE/BT will not be able to bid on the 40MHz of spectrum on 2.3GHz due to a spectrum cap. However they can bid on 3.4GHz and buy all 150MHz if they want.

Meanwhile since this is the festive season Ofcom are still trying to organise a piss up in a brewery and are failing miserably.


https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom...ectrum-auction
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Old 21-11-2016, 17:59
Denco1
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I guess it won't really harm EE, they still have oodles of spectrum they can refarm, and the BT B38 which is still unused?

I think it's a bit odd that Ofcom decided the 2.3GHz should be sold in 10MHz blocks. 15MHz+15MHz+10MHz would have worked nicely, but I guess we're now more likely to see 20MHz Vodafone +10MHz O2 +10MHz Three
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Old 22-11-2016, 09:44
Rossby41
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I'd love to see O2 get better spectrum for the bigger towns, and cities. Because 4G on Tesco Mobile is alright in my local town, but it's dire in busier towns (I dread to think what it's like in London).
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Old 22-11-2016, 15:44
Grayburn
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I'd love to see O2 get better spectrum for the bigger towns, and cities. Because 4G on Tesco Mobile is alright in my local town, but it's dire in busier towns (I dread to think what it's like in London).
I'm hoping they do too, O2 for me where I live is terrible at the moment and it usually quite good.

And as you asked, it's terrible in London, congested so much it's unusable in places.
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