The Korea Communications Commission said SK Telecom and KT will not be allowed to bid in the upcoming 2.1GHz band auction, in order to ensure fair market competition, Dow Jones reports. The regulator expects to raise at least KRW 1.15 trillion (USD 1.1 billion) through the auction of three spectrum bands. Bids for the 800MHz band will start at KRW 261 billion, while the starting bid price for the 1.8GHz and 2.1GHz bands will be KRW 445.5 billion each. It said it aimed to allocate the licences by early August, although the 800MHz band will only be available from July 2012. LG Uplus, the country's smallest mobile operator, welcomed the government's plan as the company has been struggling to win market share because of its limited spectrum rights. The company said the 2.1GHz spectrum would support its LTE roll-out plans. SK Telecom said being blocked by the KCC was unfair, and the regulator should focus more on the efficient use of public resources.
