Japanese technology company Softbank is one of the investors in a company that has registered to bid in the upcoming 5G mobile spectrum auction in the UK, reports The Telegraph citing unnamed sources.
Airspan Spectrum Holdings has been confirmed by UK regulator Ofcom as one of six qualified bidders for the auction, which is expected to commence in early-April. Other investors are US mobile equipment maker Airspan and US private equity firm Oak Investment Partners. The company also recently purchased spectrum in a similar auction in Ireland.
Industry sources said that Airspan Spectrum Holdings was not regarded as a major threat to the big four mobile operators as it unlikely to want to build its own mobile network. Instead, it is expected to use any spectrum purchased through the auction to serve niche markets such as transport networks and public safety. The spectrum could also be used to connect small cells for mobile network operators.
