Government criticised for lack of objectives in 4G spectrum auction

Head of spectrum policy for the government says the priority is the get the spectrum to market

The government has been criticised for not laying out clear objectives for the auction of the 4G spectrum in 2012.

The complaints were put to Mark Swarbrick, head of spectrum policy, at a Westminster eForum meeting today.

"The spectrum auctions for mobile broadband are really important, but it is still not clear what they are supposed to achieve," said Chi Onwurah, shadow minister for business innovation and skills.

"Are they supposed to maximise revenue for the Treasury? Are they supposed to achieve a competitive digital infrastructure? A shared digital infrastructure? Optimal coverage?" she asked.

In response to the criticism, Swarbrick said that market forces would decide the outcome and that its priority is to release the spectrum.

"Our primary focus is to get the spectrum into the market and let the market determine this."

"That is the current policy framework. You may not agree with that, but the primary objective of ministers at the moment is to get the 800Mhz and the 2.6Ghz out there," he added.

"It's about making the spectrum quickly available and the market can determine how to use it."

Martin Cave, professor at the London School of Economics and a previous adviser on spectrum management to the Treasury, said that getting spectrum to market is key, but so is price.

"It should be about getting all the spectrum out there, and getting its price as close to zero as possible," he said.

"This is the only way the consumers will benefit and it is a very simple policy."

The UK 4G spectrum auction is not expected until the first quarter of 2012, and the spectrum is unlikely to be used until 2013 or 2014.