Spectrum & Auctions

Core Spectrum and Auction Activities

LYA’s Spectrum and Auctions Practice began in the mid-1990’s. It covers a range of activities from the development of spectrum strategy and spectrum valuation to auction platforms and auction management tools to conducting the sale of spectrum on behalf of clients.

LYA’s expertise is at the forefront of auction formats including Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) Auctions, Combinatorial Clock Auctions (CCA) and the Forward Clock Auction format used in the US 600 MHz Incentive Auction.

LYA helps its clients address the Strategic C’s that are critical to successful spectrum strategies and successful spectrum award processes.
  • Understanding the spectrum needs to meet the demand of the end customers
  • Analysing the overall competitive environment, including carriers and other stakeholders
  • Reviewing capabilities and resources in the industry, leading to
  • Assessing the costs, opportunities and risks associated with competitive spectrum awards

LYA releases publications and commentaries on pertinent matters and developments related to spectrum and auctions.

Spectrum Insights

Will Canada Fire the Starting Gun for 5G Deployment this Week?

The Canadian telecom industry has been (im)patiently waiting for ISED - the Industry, Science and Economic Development Ministry - to make public key decisions that will shape the deployment of 5G services, and possibly of [...]

Auction Services

The LYA Team brings auction preparation and support experience and expertise from more than 15 years across different auction formats, spectrum bands and applications.

  • Mobile spectrum such as 600 MHz, 700 MHz, AWS1/3, 2500 MHz and PCS, 3.4/3.5 GHz bands
  • Specialized applications such as Air to Ground service
  • Fixed services in a variety of bands including satellite applications and the 24 GHz and 38 GHz bands

LYA Auction Platforms support all current formats from Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) Auctions to Combinatorial Clock Auctions (CCA) and the Forward Clock Auction format used in the USA 600 MHz Incentive Auction.

Our Auction Platforms have supported a variety of rules and parameters including spectrum set asides and spectrum caps. All LYA Auction Platforms support a large number of license blocks on offer along various regional or national basis. LYA’s Auction Platform can be programmed to reflect any type of auction process, from small to very large, reflecting all the rules set forward by the auctioneer for each specific auction.

LYA provides a full suite of auction services for potential auction participants and auctioneers

  • Auction preparation planning and design/review of auction rules and parameters
  • Assessment of the industry and competitive environment
  • Valuation of the spectrum to be awarded
  • Delivery of an Auction Platform
  • Bidding workshops and mock auctions
  • Extensive simulations with robotic bidding
  • Development and support for an Auction Management Tool specific to each client’s needs
  • Bid room management and analyses supporting executive decision making during the auction
  • Auction post mortem and validation.

The high-stakes nature of Spectrum Auctions leaves no room for error.

Bidding teams need to be well prepared and experienced with the auction format and rules set. The LYA Auction Platform allows your bidding team to gain the experience necessary to get the spectrum you need at the lowest possible price.

Spectrum Valuation

LYA conducts spectrum valuations in the context of:

  • Secondary market transactions
  • Subordinate licensing arrangements
  • Preparations in advance of spectrum auctions
  • Development of wireless and mobile business plans

LYA clients for spectrum valuations and business planning include:

  • Wireless and mobile service providers
  • Investors, as well as
  • Government agencies and regulators.

LYA’s financial modelling expertise and in-house tools for the development of business cases and DCF analyses related to wireless services yield spectrum license valuations that reflect the benefits of a particular spectrum license within a particular socio-economic context as well as for specific service providers or acquirers.

Workshops

LYA offers workshops for conferences or your private in-house events. Below are two examples of LYA Workshops.

The LYA® SPECTRUM STRATEGY, VALUATION AND AUCTION WORKSHOP provides an intensive learning experience integrating auction theory, technologies and regulations as well as competitive and market dynamics. In a mobile broadband world, the right spectrum strategy and spectrum assets can provide a critical competitive edge to telecommunications operators.

The LYA® workshop is a valuable tool to kick start your auction bidding team prior to spectrum auctions or as a part of overall strategy development for spectrum initiatives. Benefit from LYA’s unique experience in areas such as:

  • Business planning for spectrum based initiatives
  • License valuation
  • Auction training
  • Hands-on bidding room experience and successful bidding

This workshop is provided as an intensive one-day session at a time and location convenient for you.

The LYA® AUCTION BIDDING WORKSHOP provides participants with an opportunity for hands-on experience of major auction formats currently being used for high stakes auctions from sealed bids to combinatorial clock including first or second price auctions. Below is an overview agenda for the LYA® AUCTION BIDDING WORKSHOP.

  1. Auction Format and Rules Overview
    • Sealed Bids
    • Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending
    • Combinatorial Clock Ascending
    • Clock Auction
    • First or Second Price
  2. Discuss the pros & cons of each
  3. Results of sample auctions worldwide
  4. Hands-on bidding
    • Sealed bids
    • Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending
    • Combinatorial Clock Ascending
    • Clock Auction
    • First or Second Price
  5. Wrap-Up

This workshop is provided as an intensive two-days session at a time and location convenient for you.

Please contact us for scheduling, pricing and more information.