Auctions and valuation courses updated for 2026

The pipeline of new mobile spectrum bands has gone from a steady flow to a drip, with important consequences for how the essential regulatory tools of auctions and spectrum valuation are being used.

Over the past 15 years, we have seen 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 3.6 GHz, 3.7-4.2 GHz, L-band, 26 GHz and 28 GHz assigned as mobile bands. But which new mobile bands will be released over the next 15 years? Very few. Europe’s regulators say new spectrum is not needed to launch 6G and anticipate it using existing mobile bands.

Over the next 15 years, the upper 6 GHz is the strongest candidate for a widely released new mobile band. The three bands being considered for IMTInternational Mobile Telecommunications (I… at WRC-27The World Radiocommunication Conference (W… are facing considerable hurdles, including military usage in Europe.

It is true that the past 15 years’ worth of mobile bands have not been released in all countries, but overall the steady stream of new mobile spectrum is petering out.

So a key question for regulators is how to deal with renewals and there the theory and practice of auctions and valuation is as relevant as ever.

Should expiring licences be auctioned? Do auctions consume funds which could be used for improving mobile networks? Is an auction better or worse than setting an administrative price?

These are key questions in auction theory, but our Spectrum Auctions course (8-9 October) will also consider whether we need a rethink in the light of mobile operators’ declining profitability and the increasing social policy importance of ubiquitous connectivity.

If an administration decides not to auction expiring licences, then spectrum valuation becomes very important. Should the licences be renewed at a market price, an incentive price or a cost recovery price? Or should they be renewed for free with a quid pro quo like improving coverage? The Spectrum Valuation course (7-8 October) will work through some examples.

The focus is also shifting away from mobile to satellite. If mobile bands are auctioned, shouldn’t the same apply to satellite? This has been much suggested but little implemented, and the Spectrum Auctions course will consider the reasons why.

Download the brochures for the courses here and register here. The two courses take place in the same week, and there is a discount for booking both together.