Australian Govt Asked To Delay 3G Spectrum Auction

date: 15th February 2001, source by: News Bytes

Australian telecommunications consultant and commentator Paul Budde has added his weight to calls for the Australian Government to hold off on its proposed 3G (third-generation) wireless spectrum auction.

He told Computer Daily News that continuing turmoil over the projected sale of Cable & Wireless Optus [ASX:CWO] assets would make the auction a very complicated affair.

Of five Australian companies which have registered for the auction - along with two US companies - four are all linked to the Optus sale, he said. These are Vodafone, Telecom NZ, Hutchison and Optus itself, leaving Telstra the sole local bidder not involved.

"I'm worried how they can make well-informed decisions (in the auction), if they don't know the extent of their network," said Budde. "The result is too important for the future of telecommunications in Australia - it would be much better if the government delayed the auction until the Optus sale is settled."

Two US companies, Qualcomm and ArrayComm, have also anted up their A$50,000 to register as 3G bidders. Budde says he's as mystified as everyone else by their plans, but says it could be they want to acquire low-cost spectrum in a sophisticated setting for testing.

top