Brisk bidding at 5G auction

By Tilman Blasshofer and Douglas Busvine

Germany’s auction of spectrum for 5G mobile networks drew brisk initial bidding with prospective new entrant 1&1 Drillisch submitting bold offers for the frequencies it covets. Drillisch, run by maverick tycoon Ralph Dommermuth, is vying to become a fourth operator in Europe’s largest economy — a move that could benefit consumers but pressure the margins of the three existing players.