3G spectrum auction delayed

By Editorial Team (Tuesday, 12th August 2008)

An ongoing legal challenge by T-Mobile and O2 has led to further delays in the expansion of the 3G spectrum, says Ofcom.

Both T-Mobile and O2 say they cannot value the 2.6 GHz spectrum until the future of their 900 MHz GSM licences and their rights to re-farm the 900 MHz spectrum is clarified.

Ofcom has decided that it will not call for 3G applications for at least two more months. Applications for the spectrum were originally scheduled for July.

In a statement, the telecoms regulator said that litigation is currently ongoing and that it continues to press for it to be progressed as quickly as possible.

"In the meantime, we have decided that we will not call for applications in September or October 2008," said the regulator.

While there are several contenders for the 2.6 GHz spectrum, some analysts believe that only BT's nationwide WiMax network can make a big enough impact on the mobile broadband market.

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