EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three paid almost double what analysts had expected to obtain the “next generation” of 5G frequencies MIQUEL BENITEZ/GETTY IMAGESBritain’s four biggest mobile networks have spent almost £1.4 billion to ensure they secure access to the new 5G spectrum needed to launch the enhanced mobile phone services of the future. EE, Vodafone, O 2 and Three paid almost double what analysts had expected to obtain the “next generation” of 5G frequencies in an auction by Ofcom, the communications regulator. The new airwaves, or spectrum, are needed to underpin the internet of things, where, in the future, connected devices will be controllable via a smartphone from anywhere with a 5G connection. Ofcom auctioned 34 lots of spectrum across two bands: 3.4 GHz, one of the bands earmarked for 5G, and 2.3 GHz, which will help improve the availability of 4G for current mobile phone users.

Source: The Times April 05, 2018 16:07 UTC