Mobile phone frequencies allocated

The Swiss authorities have raised nearly SFr1 billion ($1.1 billion) after auctioning mobile phone frequencies, which went to the three operators Sunrise, Swisscom and Orange.

The results were announced by the Swiss telecoms regulator, the Federal Communication Commission (ComCom), on Thursday.

The auction allocated frequencies that are currently free and others whose licences expire in 2014 and 2017. The new licences are valid until 2028.

Secure bids were taken via internet over 13 days, ending on Wednesday.

The ComCom said more of the frequency spectrum was now available to operators,  enabling them to expand in accordance with the latest innovations in mobile technology.

Sunrise, the country’s second biggest operator, spent nearly SFr482 million, followed by market leader Swisscom, which spent about SFr360 million, while Orange paid out SFr155 million.

All three market-leading companies declared themselves satisfied with the results. Swisscom said it had acquired 42 per cent of the available frequency bands, and will have about double the spectrum for its mobile network than at present.

Sunrise, which was allocated nearly 40 per cent of the low frequency spectrum on offer, spoke of the “start of a new era”. Although these frequencies are more expensive to buy, they are cheaper to use because they need fewer antennas and are better at passing through walls and other obstacles.

Orange described the result as “excellent”, saying its new frequencies corresponded exactly to its future needs.