Thanks cheekymonkey for this. With the 28GHz auction still failing to attract any new bids, the government is hoping to persuade telecoms companies to splash out on a 3.4GHz licence instead
The government is gearing up to sell off another part of the UK's radio spectrum in an attempt to boost the availability of wireless broadband Internet access services.
The Radiocommunications Agency announced on Monday that it is proposing to hold an auction of licences in the 3.4GHz spectrum. No date has been set for an auction, but if it does go ahead the licences would allow telecoms companies to provide always-on, high-speed wireless Internet services, and could be a way of bringing broadband to rural areas.
Under the Radiocommunications Agency's plan, 15 licences will be made available. Seven licences cover major metropolitan areas within England, Wales and Scotland, with a further seven licences dividing up the rest of the mainland UK. One licence will cover the whole of Northern Ireland.
These licences will be awarded by an auction process, even though the government has attracted criticism following its 28GHz and 3G auctions.
News source: ZDNet(UK) News - Government plans new broadband wireless auction
