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NPT delays 1800MHz auction due to TeliaSonera's acquisition of Tele2 Norge [TeleGeography CommsUpdate](TeleGeography CommsUpdate Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority (NPT) has revealed that it has decided to postpone the 1800MHz spectrum auction previously scheduled to take place in January 2015. According to the regulator, it has opted to push back the sale in the wake of Swedish telecoms group Tele2 revealing that it has agreed to sell its Norwegian unit to rival TeliaSonera. As previously reported by CommsUpdate, in July 2014 the NPT confirmed its intention to offer three vacant blocks of 1800MHz spectrum in an open multi-round auction scheduled for 26 January 2015; these frequencies went unsold during the regulator's multi-band auction in December 2013. As per its original schedule, the publication of final auction rules and the opening of registration for participation in the auction was expected to take place on 8 December 2014, with a sign-up deadline of 12 January 2015. With TeliaSonera's purchase of Tele2 Norge still subject to regulatory approval, and there being the possibility that the deal may only be allowed with certain conditions, the NPT has said that the possible changes in the market's make-up are likely to be of 'great significance'. As such, the watchdog believes that the issue needs to be clarified before the 1800MHz auction is held. A revised timeframe for the frequency sale will be published 'at a later date'. (c) 2014 PriMetrica, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |