Telecom’s acquisition of radio spectrum rights unlikely to hamper competition

The Commerce Commission (Com Com) has cleared Telecom New Zealand’s purchase of radio spectrum management rights that can be used for WiMAX or 3G cellular services as it does not feel it will inhibit competition in the sector. As reported by Telegeography’s Comms Update Telecom paid a total of NZD906,000 (USD 726,703) for 2×20MHz packets of spectrum in the 2.5GHz band in the government’s auction of 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz WiMAX-capable spectrum in December 2007.