Australia's largest telco has pulled out in front in the third generation mobile telecommunications spectrum auctions, bringing the total bids to over AU$1.1 billion.
At close of bidding yesterday, Vodafone Pacific led the six remaining contenders, with a total of $252,800,000 in bids.
However, by the 13th round today, Telstra 3G Spectrum Holdings has pushed to the front of the auctions, raising bids worth AU$286,927,500.00.
The total sum of the "high bids" after round 13 this morning was AU$1,166,493,500.
Vodafone is sitting on bids worth AU$252,800,000.00.
The bidders are competing for 58 spectrum lots on offer. As of close yesterday 39 lots had so far attracted bids.
The bidders include subsidiaries of Telstra, Hutchison Communications, Cable & Wireless Optus, and Vodafone.
The organisations are taking part in the electronic auction hosted on the Australian Communications Authority Web site.
The licences are for a 15-year term and will be auctioned in the 2GHz band and will allow mobile access to voice, data and multimedia-based services.
