The UK regulator Ofcom has updated the draft conditions of the 5G spectrum auction planned in spring 2020. The main change consists in leaving out the coverage obligations as the four MNOs have committed themselves to reach a coverage of their 4G networks of at least 92% of the UK within next six years. This exceeds the coverage which Ofcom originally planned to impose as a licence obligation in the 5G auction.
Auctions
Irish regulator awards smart grid licences in 400 MHz band
Irish regulator ComReg announced results of the auction for award of frequencies in the 400 MHz band. These are intended for Smart Grids. The award process resulted in one winning bidder ESB Networks DAC.
French regulator Arcep builds on know-how of colleagues in 3.4-3.8 GHz auction
French regulator Arcep brought together representatives of national regulatory authorities (NRA) from 15 countries of the EU for a mutual exchange of know-how from organising 5G auctions. The draft terms of the auction in the band 3.4-3.8 GHz in Metropolitan France was subject to public consultation from mid-July to 4 September.
Hong Kong awards 5G licences in 3.5 GHz band
The regulator of Hong Kong OFCA has successfully auctioned off a total of 200 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz to four mobile network operators for a total of HKD 1.006 billion.
Israel launches 5G auction
The Israel Ministry of Communications has published the tender for award of frequencies for 5G mobile networks. The frequencies will be awarded in an auction, using the CCA format (Combinatorial Clock Auction) with the second highest bid price rule (Vickrey auction). The total spectrum available in the auction includes 2×30 MHz FDD in the 700 MHz band, 2×60 MHz FDD in the 2,600 MHz band and 300 MHz TDD in the 3,500-3,800 MHz. For the first time, a tender for award of frequencies will be accompanied by an incentive system that includes grants and a reduction in spectrum fees in the total amount of NIS 500 million.
Martes-Specure to provide 5G auction platform in Poland
Polish regulator UKE has selected Specure EAS as the spectrum auction platform to support the award of frequencies in the band 3.6 GHz. With the selection of the electronic auction system supplier the Polish regulator is successfully proceeding towards meeting its objective to distribute the band by June 2020.
French regulator consults on award of frequencies in 3.4-3.8 GHz band
On 15th July 2019, interestingly a day after the Bastille Day, French regulator Arcep launched a public consultation on a draft decision that sets out the procedure and conditions for awarding licences to use frequencies in the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band, in Metropolitan France. The contributions to this public consultation, which will run until 4th September, will enable Arcep to finalise this procedure and the terms of allocation. Arcep will then submit its final text to the Government in the weeks that follow.
German operators can pay the 5G licence later in exchange for extra LTE coverage
German federal government drives the expansion of mobile networks by offering postponing of 5G licence fee payment in exchange for development of LTE networks in rural areas. The government signed agreements with the four MNOs Telekom, Vodafone, Telefonica and 1&1 Drillisch on coverage of 99% of households by the end of 2020 in exchange for extending the payment obligation for 5G licences awarded in June this year until 2030, reported DPA.
French regulator ARCEP presents experimental 5G projects
More than a dozen projects have responded to the call of the French government and the regulatory authority ARCEP from January to create experimental 5G platforms. The platforms in the 26 GHz frequency band (so-called “millimetre” frequency band) shall be open to third parties and promote and identify new uses of 5G. The selected projects relate to areas such as logistics, smart city, mobility and coverage of sporting events.
Martes Specure at Infofest 2019
Martes Specure is participating at Infofest 2019, 26th annual festival of achievements in information technology, taking place in Budva, Montenegro.
