(Telecompaper) Telecom New Zealand has won the bid for the final 2x5 MHz lot of 700 MHz radio spectrum, the government announced. Telecom chief executive Simon Moutter said the fourth lot of spectrum will help improve the speed and capacity of Telecom's 4G mobile network, including in the less densely populated areas. Telecom bid NZD 83 million for the final lot, in addition to the total of NZD 66 million spent on the three lots in the initial auction round. The purchase of the fourth lot is conditional upon approval from the Commerce Commission. In the first round of the auction, Telecom and Vodafone New Zealand each successfully bid for 2x15 MHz (three lots), while 2Degrees successfully bid for 2x10 MHz (two lots) leaving a single 2x5 MHz lot unsold from the available nine lots. The auction for this lot has proceeded over recent weeks at NZD 1 million increments for each bidding interval, starting from the NZD 22 million reserve price. A final assignment process, during which each successful bidder will bid for a location within the spectrum band, is still to be held.