Swedish 2.6GHz auction reflects ‘realistic’ spectrum value in Europe, according to Analysys Mason

LONDON, UK, 09 MAY 2008 – The second European 2.6GHz spectrum auction concluded this week in Sweden. With auctions coming up in other European countries, including the UK, Austria and the Netherlands, the outcome of the Swedish auction provides much needed information on the price that operators will pay for 2.6GHz spectrum throughout Europe, says Analysys Mason, the premier advisers on telecoms, IT and media (www.analysysmason.com).

The Swedish auction concluded at a price of EUR0.13/MHz/pop, with unpaired spectrum going for just below EUR0.04/MHz/pop and paired spectrum for EUR0.16/MHz/pop.

“Clearly prices fetched at the 2000/2001 European UMTS auctions, especially in the UK and Germany, are unlikely to be repeated. On the other hand, operators are reporting a rapid uptake of mobile broadband dongles, and new WiMAX players may be eager to enter the arena, suggesting that prices may still be substantial,” says Bart-Jan Sweers, Strategy Consultant at Analysys Mason.

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