The auction on fourth generation frequencies (4g) has ended and the total proceeds amount to 3,945 billion euros. Most of the cost was paid by the three major companies - Telecom, Vodafone and Wind - which each spent almost 1,2 billion, while H3g only put up 300 million.
The big three have secured the 800 Mhz frequencies, those considered the most valuable because they cover vast areas of the territory with two blocks each. H3g and Wind were instead awarded, with four blocks each, the 2.600 Mhz frequencies, which instead cover more restricted areas but are suitable for large cities (3 blocks each for the same frequencies also for Vodafone and Telecom Italia). The 1.800 Mhz frequency was less contested and Telecom, Vodafone and H3g won one block each. The 2.000 Mhz band has still not been assigned and the companies still have until October 3 to present an offer.
Wind's number one, Ossama Bessada, declared himself "proud of the result of the auction for 4G frequencies which confirms Wind among the most important players on the market." Similarly, the managing director of 3 Italia, Vincenzo Novari, said he was "very satisfied because, as an important observer of market dynamics such as JP Morgan has recognized us, the frequencies we have purchased are completely adequate to guarantee roll-out of LTE infrastructures and volumes of data traffic that will be required on the market for several years to come”.
Even Minister Romani said he was happy with the result of the auction “which puts Italy in an avant-garde position compared to Europe. In a difficult market situation, we managed to attract a large amount of investment. The total collection goes far beyond expectations: I recall that the stability law in fact provided for an income of 2,4 billion euros”.
