UK regulator Ofcom said its next spectrum auction, which includes frequencies capable of carrying 5G services, will begin on 20 March 2018.

The watchdog is offering spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands, which are “likely to be used by mobile network operators to deliver additional capacity for mobile broadband”. It also said the latter band “may be used for 5G services”.

Last week, Ofcom confirmed the names of six companies set to participate in the auction.

While the list (unsurprisingly) includes the UK’s existing operators – EE, O2 UK, Vodafone UK and 3 UK – it also includes other bidders.

Ofcom aimed to press ahead with the auction as swiftly as possible after it was forced to deal with seperate legal challenges from 3 and EE.