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 (EUR 116 million).

Four bidders: China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK), Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited (HKT), Hutchison Telephone Company Limited (HTCL) and SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited (SmarTone) took part in the 3.5 GHz band auction. The results of the auction are listed in the table below:

Frequency blockFrequency rangeProvisional successful bidderSpectrum utilisation fee (HKD million)
A1 – A63400 – 3460 MHzCMHK300
A7 – A113460 – 3510 MHzHKT 252
A12 – A163510 – 3560 MHzSmarTone 252
A17 – A203560 – 3600 MHzHTCL 202
Hong Kong 5G Auction results (2019)

The provisional successful bidders are required to pay the spectrum utilisation fees as specified in the table above and to submit performance bonds to guarantee compliance with the network and service rollout requirement by 14 January 2020. Further, they are required to collectively make contributions to a fund for a subsidy scheme to support the upgrade of existing Satellite Master Antenna Television systems by 25 November 2019. The assignment of the spectrum will take effect on 1 April 2020 and be valid for a period of 15 years.

Photo Copyright: Adobe Stock | ekaphon

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