Korean operator SK Telecom has won a licence for the 1.8 GHz spectrum band. SK Telecom bid KRW 995 billion for 20 MHz of the spectrum. Rival KT bowed out over the soaring bidding costs, which more than doubled from the initial auction price of KRW 446 billion, Reuters reports. KT was awarded 10 MHz in the 800 MHz range for KRW 261 billion. Earlier LG Uplus won 20 MHz of spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band. SK Telecom and KT, the two largest operators in South Korea, were banned from joining the auction for the 2.1 GHz band, in order to ensure sufficient market competition.
