The auction of spectrum in the 800MHz, 900MHz, 1.8GHz, 2.1GHz and 2.6GHz bands in Switzerland has ended after 13 days of bidding. This auction was a world first with all spectrum being suitable for mobile telecommunications services being offered in one combined award, allowing participants to bid on comprehensive spectrum packages across all bands that best suit their long-term spectrum needs. The auction followed a combinatorial clock auction (CCA) format with restrictions on the assignment options generated for the 900MHz and 1.8GHz bands to take into account the distribution of preferred channels for GSM in these bands.
The mobile operators Orange, Sunrise and Swisscom satisfied the admission criteria and were allowed to participate in the auction. All three operators successfully won spectrum, generating revenues of CHF 996.3 million for the Swiss government. A summary of the spectrum won and the prices that successful bidders have to pay can be found in the press conference presentation available here.
The auction was conducted by BAKOM, the Swiss telecoms regulator, on behalf of the Federal Communication Commission (ComCom) DotEcon has advised BAKOM on the design and implementation of this award. For more information on the award, please visit BAKOM’s website.
Bidding took place over the internet, using DotEcon’s WebBidder auction platform. More information on WebBidder can be found here.