Vodafone Secures 4G LTE Spectrum in Portugal, First Dsy Auction Yields EUR 372 Million

The Netherlands Telecompaper reports that mobile communications company Vodafone Portugal has been awarded a total of 123 MHz--2x49 MHz FDD and 25 MHz TDD--spectrum in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands. The mobile communications operator will pay a total EUR 146 million (US $196.98 million) for the spectrum. Consequently, based on 4G long term evolution (LTE) technology, Vodafone plans to use this spectrum to provide mobile communications services in Portugal.

According to Vodafone, the spectrum in the 900 MHz band will further improve the cove­rage and quality of service, using 3G HSPA technology, especially inside buildings. As per the Telecompaper report, the LTE mobile telephony auction was launched on November 28^th.

The Telecompaper report indicates that the 4G mobile auc­tion in Portugal has yielded EUR 372 million (US $501 million) on the first day, with the highest value recorded in the 800 MHz range and one of the largest blocks in the 2.6 GHz band. Furthermore, Teleompaper wrote that the auction will yield at least EUR 425 million (US $573.4 million) for the Portuguese government, if all lots are auctioned.

According to information published by telecommunications regulator Anacom, the six existing lots in the 800 MHz band were auctioned by the reserve price of EUR 45 million each, amounting to EUR 270 million (US $364.2 million) overall.

Meanwhile, another business unit Vodafone Global Enterprise, which manages the communications needs of its largest multinational customers, has acquired European IT and communications consultancy, Bluefish Communications Ltd. The company said that Bluefish will form the nucleus of a new Unified Communications and Collaboration practice within Vodafone Global Enterprise, which will focus on advising multinational companies on how to get the most from their mobile, fixed line and IT services. Plus, it will offer guidance on the adoption of cloud services, said Vodafone.