Should BT/EE have more than 30% of the mobile spectrum?

[neil_g]

Currently BT/EE own 42%, whereas Three owns 15%. Vodafone has 29%, while O2 sits on 14%.

BT/EE could bid on another 80% of the spectrum going on auction.

Why should I care?

Who owns the most airwaves has a direct effect on your pocket and the quality of service you receive.

In the upcoming auction for more spectrum, if left as unchecked as Ofcom are currently planning, BT/EE could end up with a massive share of the spectrum. That means the other networks getting crowded out of the market, which in turn means less choice for consumers, worse network coverage, more blackspots, more complaints and higher prices.


https://www.maketheairfair.org/



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[srichards]

Weren't three going to buy O2 at one point? Or was it the other way around? With 3 roughly equal sized players then it would be better.

 

[neil_g]

EU blocked the merge. unlike the BT/EE merge.

double standards.

 

[Dave *]

EU blocked the merge. unlike the BT/EE merge.

double standards.

You're comparing apples and oranges, the EU (along with the U.K. competiton commission and OFCOM) blocked the merger of the 2 networks, as it impacted on competition in the mobile market as it meant the UK would drop from 4 to 3 networks.

The deal where BT purchased EE was approved by the competition commission because it didn't have any impact on the number of networks in the UK. All that changed was BT took over as the owner in place of France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom.

With regard to Three's current whinge campaign about spectrum allocation, other than the 900MHz held by o2 and Vodafone all the other spectrum has been bought by the relevant networks. Oh, and also except for the entire allocation of 1800MHz that Three are running their 4G on, that was also gifted to them by EE.

Spectrum should be auctioned and all networks should be able to bid, this is not a communist country where one company should receive preferential treatment over others, if Three want to compete properly they need to get Li Ka-shing to put his hand in his pocket and pay, just like the other networks. It seems he has decided he wants rid of Three so isn't willing to put the investment in that the other networks are prepared to.

 

[neil_g]

Maybe but suddenly bt become a mobile provider (on the existing Ee infrastructure)..

I'll use whoever gives me the best deal but personally I don't believe it right where any 1 network can be allowed to use up nearly half of the available band.

I also do not think the auction process is fair, whoever has the most money wins. That's one way to kill any sensible competition. Okay ofcom have put some rules in but BT/Ee are still laughing with the share they have. It's anti competitive at best.

 

[Dave *]

Maybe but suddenly bt become a mobile provider (on the existing Ee infrastructure)..

How does that differ from EE being owned by the German and French telecoms incumbents? If anything it's good it's come back into British ownership.

I also do not think the auction process is fair, whoever has the most money wins. That's one way to kill any sensible competition.

Seriously? That's how auctions work...

Three aren't the poor little network their #asksharon or #tellsharon media campaign make out, they have pockets as deep as the others, if anything o2 is the poor relation of the networks.

CK Hutchison had annual revenues of $21.5 billion and have $133 billion in assets (2016 figures), it's no one else's fault that Li Ka-Shing has had a tantrum and closed the purse strings.

If it makes you happier, there is an upcoming auction for 40 MHz of spectrum to be sold in the 2300MHz band, EE already isn't allowed to bid in that auction, the other upcoming auction is for 150 MHz in the 3400MHz band, but as it's predominantly for 5G use there are rightly no restrictions on that auction.

Though if Three continue with their current attitude it's more likely Vodafone and o2 will snap up the bulk of the 2300MHz up for sale.