Ofcom on Thursday pushed back its planned auction of spectrum in the 2.3-GHz and 3.4-GHz bands until the European Commission has ruled on the merger of U.K. mobile operators 3UK and O2.
The U.K. telecoms regulator issued a statement confirming that it is delaying the auction "for reasons of good public administration." It also noted that it had received requests to hold off on the auction from the two operators in question.
"Ofcom will not now commence the auction process until the European Commission has taken its decision as to whether the proposed merger between Telefónica UK and Hutchison 3G UK is compatible with the common market," Ofcom said.
The European Commission is investigating the competition implications of the 3UK/O2 tie-up and is expected to make a ruling by mid-May 2016, Ofcom said.
The regulator had planned to kick off the auction process this month with a view to actually selling the spectrum in early 2016.
It has set a reserve price of £70 million (€97 million) for the airwaves, which comprise 40 MHz of 2.3-GHz band spectrum and 150 MHz in the 3.4 GHz band.
The spectrum has been earmarked for mobile broadband services, including 4G.
The 2.3 GHz band is already being used for 4G services in 10 markets outside of the European Union, including China, India and Australia, Ofcom pointed out recently.
The 3.4 GHz band is being used for 4G wireless br oadband in six countries including the U.K., Canada and Spain. UK Broadband uses 3.4-GHz spectrum for its Relish wireless broadband service in London.
