In UK, Ofcom has released the bidders for the L-Band block of spectrum sitting between 1452 and 1492 MHz (the PDF is here). There’s only nine bidders, and some of them are obscure or want spectrum for fixed link services, but The Register makes some suggestions as to what other bidders want the spectrum for:
–Vectone is an MVNO in Scandinavia, but the whole point of an MVNO is not to run its own network, so…
–O2 is looking at the 594 MHz spectrum for a DVB-H roll-out, and could be considering this spectrum as a cheaper alternative.
–Qualcomm bidding just begs people to expect an attempt at MediaFLO in Britain.
–WorldSpace has a radio satellite service in the L-Band spectrum throughout Europe, and El Reg notes that even though the UK isn’t a signatory to the agreement that allocates the spectrum to satellite radio services anyone else operating in it won’t be protected legally from interference from WorldSpace’s broadcasts.
Meanwhile, among the more obscure: Adolphus is registered to a lawyers office in Mayfair, London, while E-Portal Holdings is a Kuwaiti business. Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM) has previously said it would be looking to partner BSkyB (NYSE: BSY) with a British T-DAB/MediaFLO operation. Qualcomm is in a similar relationship in Japan.
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