The Ofcom announcement today on re-farming of 2G spectrum was very bright and breezy. A good news story for broadband customers, certainly, but some of Ofcom’s ‘stakeholders’ might have expected the Regulator to spend at least a little time considering the market implications of this late Christmas gift to the mobile incumbents – particularly their access to valuable sub-1GHz spectrum. Apparently not: it seems that the Government – in the form of Ed Vaizey – has said it will all be OK. I quote.
“The Government has explained that it has undertaken the competition assessment in relation to 900 MHz spectrum that is required by the amended GSM Directive - See for example letter from Ed Vaizey (Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries) to Adrian Bailey MP (Business Innovation and Skills Committee) 27 July 2010. Ofcom does not consider that it is required to carry out and consult on a separate competition assessment before varying the 900MHz and 1800MHz licences”.
Persuaded? I’m pretty sure some folks in Maidenhead won’t be.
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