SYDNEY, Australia-After four rounds and two days of bidding for Australia’s 1800 MHz wireless phone licenses, the total of standing high bids was $64.4 million. The licenses will provide extra network capacity in the country’s five largest cities.
According to the Australian Communications Authority, the competitive tender process involves Australia’s three current wireless operators-Cable & Wireless Optus, Telstra Corp. and Vodafone Pacific Pty. Ltd. Other applicants include One.Tel, which is expected to launch service this quarter in the 1800 MHz band; Hutchison Telecommunications Ltd.; Siemens, which is rumored to be partnering with Australian carrier AAPT; and Primus Telecommunications Pty. Ltd.
