Auction Theory Can Complement Competition Law : Preventing Collusion in Europe ' S 3 G Spectrum Allocation

* J.D. Candidate 2002, University of Pennsylvania Law School; M.Sc. Economics 1999, University of Bristol; B.A. 1996, Washington University. The Author thanks Professor David Gerber of Kent College Law School and Alisa Greenstein of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison for their insightful comments. Additional thanks go to Professor Paul D. Klemperer of Nuffield College, Oxford University, for his help in locating key international materials. Jessica Miller of the Class of 2002 of the University of Pennsylvania Law School deserves special mention for all of her hard work in refining and improving this Comment 1 Although the popular press claims the current wireless revolution is a personal communication revolution, radio spectrum in fact began its life as a medium for personal communication through ship-to-shore radio. See discussion infra note 18. The current wireless revolution reverts back to this two-way usage: the current revolution involves the targeting of wireless communications between two points and the ability for mass use of a narrow bandwidth by multiple users and services (e.g., voice, data, fax, and video). 2 Stephen Labaton, Clinton Orders a New Auction of the Airwaves, N.Y. TIMEs, Oct. 14, 2000, at Al.