Dutch Government Raises US$2.5 Billion in 3G Auction

摘要

The Dutch government has raised 5.9 billion Dutch guilders (US$2.5 billion) through its auction of five third-generation (3G) wireless licenses (EMMS, July 14, p. 13), which concluded July 24 after VersaTel Telecom International NV dropped out. The bidding, which began July 6, started off slowly as four of the five opening bids failed to meet the minimum bid levels set by the Dutch government. Also, two of the qualified bidders - Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.'s Hutchison 3G Netherlands BV and NTL Inc.'s Nogenta Swedish Acquisition Holding - dropped out at the last minute before the auction began.