21 Vianet cleared for HK spectrum race

Not really a surprise: Ofta has given the go-ahead for Beijing data centre firm 21 Vianet to bid in next month’s 2.3GHz spectrum auction.

On the surface, it's hard to see what a carrier-neutral data centre from mainland China sees in Hong Kong wireless - but spectrum is valuable whereever you can get hold of it. Presumably it sees other operators, like spectrum-constrained SmarTone for example, as potential partners.

Whether it has the cash to bid against China Mobile, PCCW and Hutchison is another issue.

In any case, Ofta is no doubt pleased it can add another dozen million or two to the government's hefty surplus.

21 Vianet told ES two weeks ago that it was in an unspecified "quiet period" and couldn't comment.  I've contacted them again today - still waiting for a response.