Plum supported the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) with the estimation of value for the 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz spectrum bands in Australia. The work was performed in conjunction with Dr. Melvyn Weeks of the University of Cambridge.

To derive estimates of spectrum value for delivery of mobile broadband services using LTE technology in the two bands, three approaches were applied:

• Benchmarking based on Australian and other international auctions
• Econometric analysis of auction results
• Mobile network cost analysis to establish the value of cost savings from additional spectrum

The auction was completed in May 2013.