O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

[Chris_K]

We're proud to announce our £500M+ investment in the latest spectrum auction. That’s what powers a network, and ours is about to get even better. How, exactly? Our spectrum acquisition means more 4G for you as well as being 5G ready for the future, and help boost connectivity in the UK.

Welcome to a new Mobile Britain. See our full press release here.

Headlines:

• Telefónica UK (O2) wins largest spectrum share in latest auction, investing £523.6 million in 80MHz and further demonstrates Telefónica’s commitment to the UK Market.
• The company obtained 40MHz of immediately useable spectrum (2.3GHz) and 40MHz of spectrum expected to be used in the launch of 5G (3.4GHz).
• New 4G airwaves to be switched on for customers within 24 hours of ability to deploy

[MI5]

Good news

[Anonymous]

I’m not so sure it’s great news for the 2% still not covered by 2G...

when will any network get 100% I wonder....

[Cleoriff]

Good to hear @Chris_K Hopefully Manchester will receive some of that investment /spectrum

[ewanrw]

To be fair, Telefonica were the only bidder for 2.3GHz 4G spectrum. EE weren't allowed to bid on it as they have so much, and Vodafone have plenty.

As for 3.4GHz 5G, Vodafone purchased the most with 50MHz, EE and Telefonica with 40MHz each and 3UK with 20MHz.

Roll on 2020!

ewan

[MI5]

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@ewanrwwrote:

To be fair, Telefonica were the only bidder for 2.3GHz 4G spectrum. EE weren't allowed to bid on it as they have so much, and Vodafone have plenty.

As for 3.4GHz 5G, Vodafone purchased the most with 50MHz, EE and Telefonica with 40MHz each and 3UK with 20MHz.

Roll on 2020!

ewan

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Yes, it makes the playing field more even now.

It will be interesting to see how this works out in reality though.

[ewanrw]

Well it means they have more 4G than 3UK now, but still way behind EE and Voda.

The next 5G auctions will be more of an indicator. 

[Anonymous]

Good news but what about working 4G & 2G first

[ewanrw]

4G you should be in luck as they're saying it will be available to use within 24 hours of final approval.

Suspect you're out of luck with 2G tho' as most networks are refarming their 1800MHz for 4G. Not sure about 900MHz, but would make sense as sub 1GHz is the more desirable frequency.

ewan 

[Skyhawk1010]

Didn’t Three UK bid on the 2300mHz spectrum?