(Telecompaper) UK communications regulator Ofcom has opened a public consultation until 23 January 2015 on proposals for its auction of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz band, expected to take place in late 2015 or early 2016. Ofcom intends to auction a total of 190 MHz of bandwidth in the two bands currently used by the Ministry of Defence. Ofcom proposes to auction 38 lots of 5 MHz, with bidders requesting at least four lots per band. To promote competition, the regulator has also proposed a safeguard cap limiting operators' mobile spectrum holdings to 37 percent of relevant spectrum, including the newly auctioned spectrum.