Tags:broadband | UMTS | WIMAX | ETC

Germany''s Federal Network Agency has published in its Official Gazette the award rules for the auction of a further block of radio spectrum. The spectrum has been made available across the country for broadband application, and there are no restrictions on the use of particular technologies (eg UMTS, WIMAX, etc).

"270 MHz is the most extensive spectrum auctioned yet. The Agency is consistently following the path of flexible spectrum regulation it embarked upon for the BWA auction in December 2006", Agency President, Matthias Kurth, declared. By drawing up the conditions of use flexibly to allow maximum technology and service neutrality we are enabling both potential new entrants and network operators that are already active in the market to meet the requirements of a dynamic market on a long-term basis. This will encourage a number of different business models".

"The award of further spectrum for broadband is becoming ever more important in view of the number of regular UMTS users more than tripling between 2005 and 2007", Kurth emphasised.

It was already clear from the first public consultations on the award of further spectrum for broadband that demand from both existing operators and potential new entrants would outstrip supply. Thus in summer 2007 the Agency determined that the award of the sought-after frequencies in the 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands would be preceded by open, transparent and non-discriminatory award proceedings in the form of an auction.

"Now that the award rules have been set, the next step for the Agency will be to draw up the concrete auction rules and invite comments. These rules need particularly careful coordination if ¨C similar to past auctions ¨C we are to secure a good and legally sound outcome. We expect this to be possible by roughly the end of the year. Award in 2009 is then within our time plan and probable with the current arrangements."

The full declaration (in German) is available on the regulator''s website.



Source:cellular-news