Germany Planning Second 3G Auction

The German government is reported to be planning a second round of 3G auctions, occurring in 2008. The licenses would offer unused spectrum in the existing 3G bands, along with some additional capacity in the 2.6Ghz bands.

The new frequencies are particularly attractive," Bundesnetzagentur chief Matthias Kurth told the regional daily Berliner Zeitung. He said that the 2.6Ghz bands "are extremely interesting both technologically and economically,"

Kurth justified the second auction claiming that the operators themselves wanted more spectrum to support land-line speeds for their wireless networks. "For this, network operators naturally need a new spectrum of frequencies," Kurth said.

The preparations for the auction are expected to be completed by the end of this year. "We then hope to start the bidding procedure early next year," Mr. Kurth added. He did not elaborate further about whether any new entrants would be permitted to bid for spectrum, nor on the method of awarding the spectrum."

Posted to the site on 7th February 2007