The Dutch ministry of economics has published the rules for the upcoming frequency auction. The event will take place in October, though no exact date has yet been given. Potential participants can apply until 16 April. Spectrum regulator Agentschap Telecom will organize an information meeting for potential participants in June. The list is certain to include KPN, Vodafone Netherlands and T-Mobile Netherlands and likely to also have newcomers Tele2 Netherlands and Ziggo-UPC. The auction itself will take place via the internet as a combinatorial clock auction, with the price going up in steps and bidders saying how many permits they want at that price. This should ensure an allocation of permits in line with the market, without parties paying too much ("winner's curse"). The Dutch government will auction new spectrum in the 800 MHz band and all existing spectrum in the 900 and 1800 bands, as well as parts of the 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands. Three frequency blocks will be reserved for parties which currently have no low-level spectrum. The lateness of the auction could compromise the continuity of current services. The existing licenses for GSM900 and GSM1800 are set to expire on 26 February 2013 and are not extendable. The ministry and the Agentschap Telecom are examining possible measures to alleviate or solve the problem. New licenses may be adjusted to allow a transition period: winners would not be required to roll out services immediately.
