Mobile operators bid R14.5 billion on spectrum auction

[Jan]

Spectrum auction winners announced — Vodacom and MTN to spend R5 billion each

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has announced the conclusion of the much-anticipated high-demand radio frequency spectrum auction.

The auction involved six qualified bidders: Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom, and Vodacom.

 

[km2]

Is that 80MHz of contiguous spectrum for Vodacom or is it split? Hopefully we'll see some good improvements from all this.

 

[Rocco1]

seems Voda with its subsidary Rain got 140Mhz of frequency over 700 and 2600 bands, whilst MTN got 100Mhz over 800, 2600 and 3500 bands.

surpised there was unsold 800 band. Worth 1-1.5 billion. Would have thought MTN would have wanted it.

 

[DTBA]

Wait so will vodacom still use the spectrum card when asked about data prices?

 

[DXL]

and after the many years of data prices will come down after we get spectrum, are they going to come down

Waiting for a 50% cut across the board or I am exposing the CEO's as liars.

Lets give them 12 months and see.

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Whose the lucky minister, in whose pocket this big payday will end up in?

 

[Martin_P]

and after the many years of data prices will come down after we get spectrum, are they going to come down

Why would it come down when 14 Billion had to be spent to get it.

 

[Swa]

Man I hope Vodacom and MTN doesn't get more at this stage. There should be a restriction and not just trying to get the most revenue.

 

[Swa]

Wait so will vodacom still use the spectrum card when asked about data prices?

They will use the rollout card. You heard it here first.

 

[lkswan747]

Well, judging from the mobile operator's reaction, there isn't much fanfare about data cost reductions!
Was this not a point of contention when the operators were criticising guvment for not migrating to digital and thus freeing spectrum?

 

[backstreetboy]

and after the many years of data prices will come down after we get spectrum, are they going to come down

Lol we're paying for that R14.5 billion but keep on dreaming.

 

[1am7h30n3]

I hope to see less congestion and general speed increases.

 

[The_MAC]

I suspect we will have quite a few new supercars on the road once the EFT clears..

 

[airborne]

I hope to see less congestion and general speed increases.

I also hope to see my account increase by 1,0000,0000 by the end of the week but the chances of that happening...

 

[Charlesjjm]

Vodacom:
“Although the outcome of the spectrum auction pricing was high, Vodacom is pleased with the outcome of the auction,"

Forget about a reduction in data prices. They have to recover the investment first.

 

[Joseph matane]

So based on mybroadband articles rain has 15mhz in LTE band 38 so after spectrum rain has 35mhz in LTE band 38,
I understand is TDD Vodacom has 80mhz in same band and rain has roaming agreement with Vodacom.
If new 100mhz is part of roaming agreement vodacom now has enough spectrum In n41 to roll out 5G everywhere and maybe do CA in Urban area with liquid telecom 54mhz plus their own 10mhz in N78
Vodacom is the biggest winner because together with rain they won 40mhz in 700mhz band this means if roaming agreement cover's 700mhz band vodacom has enough band 28 spectrum for LTE they won't even use 2600mhz for 4G

 

[RandomGeek]

So Liquid bought 4MHz. How useful is 4MHz these days?

 

[RandomGeek]

Vodacom:
“Although the outcome of the spectrum auction pricing was high, Vodacom is pleased with the outcome of the auction,"

Forget about a reduction in data prices. They have to recover the investment first.

Add a gazillion bucks for the Please call me case...prices arent dropping anytime soon

 

[MRTOM]

So another 20 years to get investment back maybe better speeds and signal but no lower prices.

 

[Swa]

So Liquid bought 4MHz. How useful is 4MHz these days?

Don't think that 4MHz is for consumers.