Europe UK : MLL Telecom, which specialises in building and operating broadband wireless networks, today announced that it has been successful in last week’s Ofcom auction of radio spectrum licences. Other successful bidders include BT, Orange, T-Mobile, Arqiva and UK Broadband.

MLL Telecom has been awarded national spectrum licences in the 32 and 40 GHz bands. It will use this spectrum to support its core business of providing carrier-grade wireless backhaul, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connectivity. The spectrum can also be used for WiMAX backhaul.

Rick Hudson, CEO of MLL Telecom, said: "This auction was very well organised by Ofcom. The calibre of companies participating was extremely high reflecting the importance of this spectrum to operators and service providers. Having our own spectrum will enable us to provide a guaranteed wireless service anywhere in the UK, and will serve to support the anticipated explosion of wireless backhaul requirements in line with 3G, 4G, LTE and WiMAX developments. Moreover, we feel that the auction process resulted in a very meaningful distribution of licences to some very committed and active providers of UK-based wireless services. Given the prices paid for such attractive and versatile spectrum bands, we can look forward to an exciting period of innovation and expansion in the provision of both wide-area and first mile wireless services here in the UK."

This was Ofcom’s fourth auction of radio licences and is part of a programme to release new spectrum for a wide range of uses. Ofcom released the spectrum on a technology and service-neutral basis, allowing users the flexibility to decide what technology to use, what services to offer and to change their use of the spectrum over time. The licences are also fully tradable.

More information about the auction can be found here: www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/02/nr_20080222

MLL has built wireless networks for network operators such as BT, Affiniti, ntl:Telewest and public sector organisations including East Sussex County Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Police, North Dorset District Council, plus a number of NHS and enterprise customers.

About MLL Telecom www.mlltelecom.com