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back to article Ofcom sets auction timetable: UK's 4G monopoly will end in June

Ofcom has drafted the legislation to open up two 4G bands next year, with bidders required to register by 11 December, the auction in January and the awards in June. The regulator published its proposals for the auction in August, but this is the proposed legislation which will make that auction happen. The final rules don't …

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  1. John Robson Silver badge

    Given the scarcity of players...

    Why would they not collaborate in advance - keep the auction price rock bottom and then sort out a private auction/exchange themselves?

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    1. Goldmember
      Reply Icon

      Re: Given the scarcity of players...

      Because that would (by my reckoning) be classed as a price-fixing 'Cartel', which don't go down well at all with regulatory bodies such as the ECC. Just look at BA/ Virgin, or or LG/ Sharp/ Chunghwa:

      http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/12/lcd_price_fixing_guilty_pleas/

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  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Cue sound...

    The crisp rustling sound of thick brown envelopes being passed across the table, and rather fatter ones handed over below it.

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  3. Turk3y

    02 and Voda are already prepped to share their kit

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/10/01/o2_voda/

    lets hope this does not lead to "sharing" the profits for all this 4g by keeping prices high due to the lack of need for competition.

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    1. Anonymous Coward
      Reply Icon
      Anonymous Coward

      I think the lack of competitions a given, not least as EE only have to hand over the spectrum they're obligated to give Three (as Ofcom's quid pro quo for the early monopoly) in two lots one year and two years from now. Hardly a rush to widen the market then.

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  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Who clears?

    It's the broadcasters who're clearing the spectrum, not Ofcom and Arqiva. Arqiva just take their lead from the broadcasters (they are one, in some cases)... but it's the broadcasters who say yes.

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