January 21st, 2008All entrants, even Google, priced out of US spectrum auction?
American analysts are suggesting that the price of not just the spectrum, but the cost of rollout will sweep asside all but the encumbents from the race. It’s not the same block of spectrum, but the deadline for Canada’s own 3G spectrum is fast approaching (applications in March, auction closing in June). In the Canadian version, the ministry of industry has set asside areas of spectrum as well as mandated tower sharing and roaming provisions which should increase the chances new competition in Canada. It’s still an expensive propostion however, and made challenging too by CRTC limitations on foreign ownership, meaning the bulk of the capital (a billion and a half or so for a national play) will need to be raised at home.
Link: Incumbents to Sweep Us Spectrum Auction, Analysts Say
