How (not) to run auctions: the European 3G telecom auctions

摘要

There were enormous differences in the revenues from the European "third generation" (3G, or "UMTS") mobile-phone license auctions, from 20 Euros per capita in Switzerland to 650 Euros per capita in the UK, though the values of the licenses sold weresimilar. Poor auction designs in some countries facilitated collusion between firms and failed to attract entrants. The seqnencing of the auctions was also crucial. We discuss the auctions in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece and Denmark.