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28Wireless local loopWorld2000 LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution Service), whichis currently in its development phase in Europe,delivers speeds of 2 to 10 Mbit/s per subscriber(likely to reach 45 Mbit/s within the next two years).In comparison to other access platforms, LMDSoffers a number of advantages (quick installation,available capacity, etc.) and provides the means forintroducing real competition into the local loop.Finland, Ireland and Germany were the firstEuropean countries to award LMDS licences in1999. Since then, most of the other countries havealso followed suit and licences were allocated allover Western Europe, except for Italy, by the end of2000.The vast majority of LMDS operators are newentrants since incumbent operators are generallyexcluded from this market. In the context of thelicence-allocation process, only Tele2 and Star Oneare of European origin, alongside a handful ofalready very active American players, whoappeared on the European scene during the firstround of licence allocations (ART, Broadnet,FirstMark, Formus, Teligent, UPC and Winstar). Allocation of wireless local loop licences in EuropeCountryAustriaAllocation dateJan. 2001Number of licences(national and regional) and frequency bands5 frequency blocks in 6 regions,in the 26 GHz bandAllocation methodAuctionDenmarkDec. 20003 licences in the 3.4-3.6 GHzand 4 licences in the 24.5- 26.5 GHz bandsBeauty contestFinlandJan. 1999 to Jan. 20002 licences per frequency band(3.5 GHz, 10.5 GHz, 26 GHz, 38 GHz)First come, first servedFranceJul. 20002 national licences (3.5 GHz eandt 26 GHz)and 2 licences per region (26 GHz)Beauty contestGermanyAug. 1999662 licences in 262 regions(3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands)Beauty contestGreeceDec. 20003 licences in the 3.5 GHz and 4 inthe 25 GHz bandsAuctionIrelandSep. 1999 and Dec. 20004 licences in the 26 GHz band, 4 licencesbetween 2.4 GHz and 3.5 GHz in 1999,2 in 28 GHz and 1 in 10 GHz in 2000Beauty contestItalyPlanned for 2000,postponed to Mar. 2001--NetherlandsPlanned for 20005 national licences in the 2.6,3.5 and 26 GHz bandsAuctionNorwayBetween May 1998 andMar. 20003 licences in each frequency band(3.5, 23, 26, 38 and 40 GHz)Beauty contestSpainMar. 20006 national licences: 3 in the 3.5 GHzand 26 GHz bandsBeauty contestSwitzerlandMar. 200048 licences: 3 national (2 in the 3.4, 1in the 26 GHz band) and 5 concessions in9 regions in the 26 GHz bandAuctionUnitedKingdomOct.-Nov. 200011 licences in England, 1 each in Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland in the 28GHz bandAuction© IDATE www.idate.fr