As reported in N2K last week, Ofcom announced the results of the principal stage of the auction on 17 March 2021. This announcement set out how much spectrum the participants had secured in each band and how much they had committed to pay. Bidding in the assignment stage, in which companies bid for the frequency positions they prefer for the airwaves they have secured in the principal stage, has also now ended.

Winners of spectrum in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band have confirmed they wish to go ahead with the negotiation period. Bidders now have the opportunity to negotiate the frequency positions among themselves, in order to facilitate trades to join together the frequencies they have secured with spectrum they already hold in the wider 3.4-3.8 GHz band.

The first phase of the negotiation period started on 25 March and will end on 16 April 2021. If a second phase is required, this is expected to take place between 19 and 23 April 2021.

Ofcom will publish the full results of the auction once all stages are complete. To read Ofcom’s announcement in full, click here.