ABSTRACT
Auctions have been in use worldwide since antiquity for the allocation of a varied range of objects. Auction as an allocation mechanism is not just becoming increasingly adopted for the allocation of radio spectrum licenses, it is a chosen mechanism for the allocation of a multitude of other types of goods. This chapter discusses telecom spectrum auction and certain unforeseen problems that have cropped up in telecom spectrum auctions. It also discusses the early telecom spectrum license auctions for the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The chapter presents an analytical comparative discussion to identify the subtle issues to keep in mind while designing auctions in terms of the country experiences. In the United Kingdom, the Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved authority in charge of regulatory functions and competition.
