Broadband fixed wireless auction reopens

The government has reopened the auction of broadband fixed wireless licences.

Last year's auction failed to raise nearly as much money as ministers expected. Only 16 out of the 42 available licences were sold raising £38.2m for government coffers.

Analysts, buoyed by the sums raised from the 3G auction in the UK earlier in 2000, had predicted the sale of the licences could raise as much as £1bn.

However, the DTI has already come under criticism for failing to alter the terms of the auction significantly to attract new investors.

The licences will be available to sale for 12 months, instead of at a one-off auction.