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The auction for radio spectrum suitable for high speed internet and mobile services closed yesterday with the Government pocketing more than $4 million.
The internet-based auction for eight blocks of radio spectrum suitable for the nationwide deployment of mobile services or WiMAX began last week.
Ten companies, including Telecom, Vodafone and Woosh, were among the bidders hoping to secure spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz band, but that number was whittled to six.
Top price was $670,000 paid by Vodafone for a chunk of 2.5GHz spectrum. CallPlus chief executive Martin Wylie, who spent $500,000 on a spectrum, said the Government should be congratulated for ensuring the spectrum went to new players intent on building alternative networks.
The larger telecommunications companies were unable to bid the price up to uneconomic levels and dominate the auction because of limits on the spectrum any one player can hold, he said.
