http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2015/...pectrum-bands/

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

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

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.

I can actually see how Angie could gain traction in the UK, with this much spectrum available it should be cheap.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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)

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.

given how crowded 2.4ghz wifi is, isnt it more sense to allow 2.3ghx on wifi?

how many phones support these frequencies?

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.

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.

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

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

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.