The UK’s next spectrum auction, to be held later this year, may not be as high profile as Germany’s 700 MHz sale in August, but it will take place amid the scrutiny of two proposed acquisitions, which could completely reshape the mobile market. It has initiated a month of public consultation on how to sell two tranches of capacity-focused airwaves, in 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz. These may now be auctioned in two separate processes to help ensure that any merged companies do not gain an unfair advantage. Wireline incumbent BT is looking to buy the largest mobile operator, EE, while Hutchison Whampoa wants to acquire Telefonica O2 and merge it with its Three UK arm, to create the country’s…