UK - Spectrum auction closed after fifty rounds, Telefonica will provide the greatest coverage

OFCOM has announced the end of the 4G auction for 800 and 2600 MHz spectrum after fifty (50) rounds of bidding and raising £2.3 billion. The details are in the table.

Telefonica (O₂):

... is obliged to provide a mobile broadband service for indoor reception to at least 98% of the UK population (expected to cover at least 99% when outdoors) and at least 95% of the population of each of the UK nations – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – by the end of 2017 at the latest.

The BBC reports:

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had forecast that the auction would raise £3.5bn for the Treasury.

The auction netted far less than the £22bn raised from the 3G auction in 2000.

the culture secretary, Maria Miller, ... saying:

"Spectrum use is worth more than £50bn to the UK economy and 4G mobile broadband is a key part of our digital growth strategy, so I am delighted the auction has been completed."

Winning bidder	Spectrum won	Base price
Everything Everywhere Ltd	2 x 5 MHz of 800 MHz and 2 x 35 MHz of 2.6 GHz	£588,876,000
Hutchison 3G UK Ltd	2 x 5 MHz of 800 MHz	£225,000,000
Niche Spectrum Ventures Ltd (a subsidiary of BT Group plc)	2 x 15 MHz of 2.6 GHz and 1 x 20 MHz of 2.6 GHz (unpaired)	£186,476,000
Telefónica UK Ltd	2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz (coverage obligation lot)	£550,000,000
Vodafone Ltd	2 x 10 MHz of 800 MHz, 2 x 20 MHz of 2.6 GHz and 1 x 25 MHz of 2.6 GHz (unpaired)	£790,761,000
Total		£2,341,113,000

(see also the FT.)