Spectrum allocation practices research

Plum conducted a research study for the Australian regulator ACMA to examine the international practices on the award of high-value spectrum, particularly for mobile use. The research covered a variety of award mechanisms adopted by regulators in other jurisdictions, including auctions, comparative tenders, administrative awards and hybrid formats. The outcomes of the awards were then[…]

Plum Insight: Vorsprung durch Econometrics – what drives spectrum value?

Radiospectrum is a vital input in the provision of mobile services. Additional spectrum enhances the coverage and capacity of mobile networks, enabling them to meet the ever-growing demand for mobile data. Yet attaching an appropriate value to spectrum is a perennial problem for regulators and operators – regulators must decide how to allocate spectrum and[…]

Valuing mobile spectrum in Mexico

Plum was commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank to provide advice to the Mexican telecommunications regulator, the IFT, on the appropriate way of valuing spectrum ahead of a number of auctions.  The IFT was set to significantly expand the amount of spectrum available to operators, and wanted to understand the appropriate level for reserve prices[…]

The value of 900 and 1800 MHz spectrum in Thailand

Plum was a member of an ITU team that advised the NBTC, Thailand on spectrum valuation methodology, derived spectrum values and advised on reserve prices for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands. Reserve prices provide starting prices for different lots in an auction and so they are not an estimate of the value that[…]

Assessment of Canadian spectrum auction rules

Plum was engaged by Industry Canada to review the proposed rules for the 2500 MHz spectrum auction. Our review was about the issue of XOR-OR bidding (and potential other bidding language variations) that might be adopted for the auction and has focussed on amendments being considered for the auction since the last general review performed in[…]

Setting reserve prices for mobile spectrum in Taiwan

This report, for the NCC, recommended reserve prices for the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz band auctions in Taiwan. Plum used a combination of international benchmarking analysis, cost reduction modelling and full enterprise value modelling to provide indications of spectrum value. This provided a range of estimates of spectrum[…]