4G auction results: Industry weighs up end user benefits
Comms industry watchers ponder consumer benefits of 4G auction results.

The results of the Ofcom 4G spectrum auction were announced earlier today, generating 2.34 billion for the economy, as mobile operators Vodafone, BT, EE, 02 and Three emerged as winners.
However, the funds fell short of the 3.5 billion the Government predicted the auction would generate, sparking debate among industry watchers about what went wrong.
"The disappointing revenues from the 4G auction are a reflection of the challenges that mobile operators face in growing revenues from their users in the social media age," said Victor Basta, managing director of financial experts, Magister Advisors.
Basta said mobile operators have adjusted their business models to support the social networking habits of end users, but are failing to reap any commercial benefits.
"Social networking has effectively turning mobile network operators into digital drug mules," he added.
Meanwhile, Allen Scott, UK country manager for F-Secure, said - although the Government may not be satisfied with the amount raised by the auction - the wider availability of 4G services is sure to have a positive impact on the economy.
"For consumers it means true content-on-demand, achieving widespread coverage and the ability to cope with more demanding services," Scott continued.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
"With further operators entering the 4G market, competition will become tougher and drive down the costs of 4G services for consumers.
"As such our lives will become truly cloud-centric, with the realisation of personal content that is available wherever, whenever and on any device," he added.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at utilities comparison site uSwitch.com, backed Allen's view that greater competition in the 4G market would be a good thing for consumers.
"Consumers will be hoping for a race to the bottom on pricing - especially following Three's pledge to not charge a premium for 4G - but factoring in the cost of a new superfast handset should be considered when making the leap to 4G," he added.
-
The IT industry’s shift to circular, low-carbon solutions
Maximize your hardware investment and reach your sustainability goals with HP’s Renew Solutions
-
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition review
Reviews This thin and light ultraportable will draw you in with its vibrant screen – but it isn't as powerful as some of its competitors
-
Equinix acquires BT's Irish data centers in €59 million deal
News As BT moves to an asset-light business model, Equinix looks to expand
-
BT just extended the PSTN switch-off deadline — here’s what you need to know
News BT described the move as a “revision”, citing a series of improvements to the wider PSTN switch-off programme
-
BT misses key Huawei kit removal deadline, but the telco is “almost over the line”
News BT is still reliant on non-compliant Huawei equipment for 2G and 3G services
-
Ofcom net neutrality update dismisses calls for big tech contributions
News Ofcom’s net neutrality stance has been criticized by some industry stakeholders
-
BT partners with HPE to deliver new global managed LAN service
News The latest collaboration combines BT’s connectivity expertise with HPE Aruba Networking’s latest LAN solutions
-
How Virgin Media O2 saved “millions” by enhancing data center efficiency
Case Study Reducing data center power consumption forms part of a broader sustainability drive at the telecoms giant
-
Making the switch
Whitepaper Realise the benefits of IP technology ahead of the digital ‘switch-on’
-
Medium businesses: Fuelling the UK’s economic engine
Whitepaper A Connected Thinking report