Auction of telecommunications licence exceeds expectations
An auction to obtain the first national licence for Wireless Local Loop (WLL) carried out by the Federal Office of Communications has exceeded all expectations.
An auction to obtain the first national licence for Wireless Local Loop (WLL) carried out by the Federal Office of Communications has exceeded all expectations.
The United Pan-Europe Communications company bid SFr120.8 million for the concession,
more than 17 times the bid starting price set by the Office.
The concession is for the so-called “last mile”, the link between households and providers over the air.
WLL technology is an alternative to the present system under which telephones on the fixed network are linked exclusively to copper or glass fibre cables belonging to Switzerland’s largest telecommunications operator, Swisscom.
The auction, carried out via the Internet, is the first of three for national licences. Five concessions will also be granted via auction to each of nine regions of Switzerland, beginning next week.
Money raised at the auctions will flow into the federal coffers. The auctions can be followed on the Internet at www.ofcomauction.ch.
From staff and wire reports
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