In order to preserve competition, most regulators impose caps on the total amount of spectrum any single operator can hold.
Spectrum caps are often set when a regulator prepares a multiband auction, with the detailed rules closely connected with the auction design.
Most European countries defined spectrum cap rules at least once in the last five years for an auction or beauty contest. A notable exception is Germany, where the regulator did not define any spectrum cap in its 2019 multiband auction.
Only a few European countries defined long-term spectrum cap rules, which apply not only during an award procedure but also to subsequent spectrum trading. Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain have such long-term rules that set caps for the main mobile bands. Another three European countries defined long-term rules for selected bands.
For more information and to access the full benchmark, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our European Spectrum service.
more news
04 November 26
In nine European countries, national symmetric obligations on access to ducts go beyond the scope set by the Gigabit Infrastructure Act
Cullen International's latest benchmark analyses asymmetric and symmetric duct access obligations in Europe.
04 November 26
More than 60 cases and counting: a snapshot of European antitrust enforcement against big tech
Cullen International’s latest report on past and pending antitrust cases against big tech companies in Europe tracks enforcement activity under ex post antitrust rules at EU and national level.
30 October 26
Many governments around the globe rely on legal mechanisms to compel communications apps to cooperate in law enforcement investigations
Cullen International's latest Global Trends benchmark for number-independent communications apps regulation found that nearly all of the 13 surveyed jurisdictions around the world provide some legal mechanism to make these apps assist law enforcement in criminal investigations. There are requirements to verify user identities, compel disclosure of stored content, make encrypted content accessible, and duties to detect illegal content within private communications.