Looks like there is another spectrum auction coming up. Left...

Looks like there is another spectrum auction coming up.
Left overs in the 1800MHz and 2100MHz the most tempting for carriers.
Unlike some auctions this one will have no limits on a single carrier.
OVO mobile have just released a 100gig for $100/month plan using Optus.
With prices so low, I can see NBNCo getting a little worried about their business model.
With the doubling of data use every 18 months on mobile networks the need for spectrum is also growing rapidly.
I personally think a fourth carrier in Australia, will just allow them to cherry pick. City prices will fall and investment in expanding the mobile networks in the country will stall.
Optus at the moment is really going berserk and growing their network rapidly. Telstra is also growing its footprint but not as rapidly as Optus. Vodafone remains in third place but at least it is investing.
This is rapidly becoming an arms race. Big networks with lots of spectrum are required.
TPG in my view paid way too much for their recent 700MHz spectrum purchase.
This auction opens the door for TPG to access more 4G spectrum.
Telstra Optus and Vodafone need to go hard, or they risk having a real competitor in the mobile market.
Vodafone probably have some cash in the bank after winning only a small portion of the 700MHz band
In my view if data consumption and pricing continues down it's current path, TPG's mobile network will be a complete joke if it does not buy more spectrum. Vodafone are in a far better position than TPG but they will need to participate in this auction or risk another vodafail in 3-4 years time.
Singapore in the mean time has just released unlimited data plans on their mobile networks..
TPG paid a truckload of cash for spectrum there too and hasn't built their network yet..
Hopefully TPG will be preoccupied on how to make money in Singapore, because quite frankly it looks like a money pit for a new entrant at the moment.
If common sense prevails Telstra, Optus and Vodafone will buy a lions share of the spectrum and add it too their existing 2100 and 1800 networks. If any of the big three don't win spectrum that would be a bad sign for them. Especially Vodafone who are already spectrally challenged.. Another scenario is that TPG wins heaps, and pays too much.. Which in my view will make them disappear in a blaze of financial glory. Because unlike the big three they will need to build a seperate 1800 and 2100 network and make it viable with minimal spectrum. While the big three just need to turn on the extra channels.