Ofcom has also admitted that, as 1800 MHz spectrum holders themselves, Vodafone and O2's parent group Telefonica could make similar moves.
"Telefnica and Vodafone also hold licences for use of 1800 MHz spectrum," read the report.
"If we received similar licence variation requests in respect of those licences, our current view is that we would be minded to deal with them in a manner similar to our proposed approach to EE's request."
3 gets in on the act
The smallest of the mobile providers, 3, had remained silent on the case up until today. The Guardian has revealed the company's UK chief executive, David Dyson, is ready to take on Ofcom to get more spectrum of its own and build up its own network to compete.
The newspaper reported Dyson was due to speak at a conference in London today and announce the operator had "bought enough time" to go to court and fight the spectrum allocation, double 3's capacity and install upgraded technologies, allowing it to compete with the bigger players, such as Everything Everywhere.
A spokesperson added that the statement would "address competition and the principles set out by Ofcom in a four-player market for the benefit of consumers."
