700 MHz Auction Planned for Early 2010

Reuters reports that industry minister Jim Prentice has noted that following the AWS spectrum auction which ended this week, an auction of 700 MHz spectrum freed up by the digital TV transition is set to take place in around 18 months. Significance: With the longer range and penetration of 700 MHz spectrum, this is likely to follow the pattern of the United States 700 MHz auction and raise more revenue than the AWS auction (see United States: 21 March 2008: AT&T, Verizon Dominate 700 MHz Auction). Although the AWS auction was structured to facilitate new entrants, recommendations that foreign-investment rules are relaxed may be implemented by this point which would facilitate other new entrants. The existing carriers from the neighbouring United States. which would have been reluctant to partner and take a non-controlling... [read full story]