Services > Spectrum and Licensing
Kalba International helps telecommunications and mobile operators win operating licenses and associated spectrum through auctions, "beauty contests" and other administrative proceedings. We also undertake assignments related to spectrum fee and re-farming proceedings and negotiations. Our track record:
- We have assisted clients with more than fifty license bids and spectrum proceedings
- The cases have included work in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, North and South America
- In 75% of the cases clients have received the licenses sought, often competing against ten or more other bidders
In the mobile sphere we have advised operators and new entrants in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK, and the United States. In the process, we have contributed:
- Auction process and bidding advice
- Mock auction management and software provision
- Training of the bidding team and briefing of Board members
- Advice on regulatory proceedings and government relations
- Analysis of competitors, including expected bid levels
- Demand assessments, including subscriber and revenue forecasts
- “Red team” reviews of technical, market and financial plans
We have also examined in detail the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of determining spectrum fees and license renewals, including auctions, auction benchmarking, AIP (Administrative Incentive Pricing), cost recovery, revenue sharing, and negotiated settlements.
Our firm also assists governments with respect to the structuring of spectrum- and licensing-related proceedings, the evaluation of bids, renewal fees, and the settlement of licensing disputes. We have assisted government entities in Algeria, Canada, East Timor, Ireland, Jordan, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Tanzania, and the United States. The breadth and depth of our licensing experience is unique and can be applied in most jurisdictions on a worldwide basis.