Czech telecoms regulator CTU announced the end of the auction phase of the tender for radio frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3,400–3,600 MHz bands. Five companies won licences in the 5G auction, with total proceeds of nearly CZK 5.6 billion.
In the 700 MHz band, O2 Czech Republic gained the 2x10 MHz block connected with the commitment to provide national roaming and PPDR services for public emergency and security bodies. Other blocks in the 700 MHz band were acquired by T-Mobile Czech Republic and Vodafone Czech Republic.
In the 3,400-3,600 MHz band, blocks of 20 MHz connected with the commitment to lease frequencies to support Industry 4.0 were gained by O2 Czech Republic and CentroNet. Other successful applicants in this band were T-Mobile Czech Republic, Vodafone Czech Republic and Nordic Telecom 5G.
Poda and Sev.en Innovations also participated in the tender but did not acquire spectrum. While the auction included conditions aimed at encouraging the entry of new mobile operators, none of the bidders acquired enough spectrum to become the fourth mobile network operator in the Czech market.
The total proceeds from the auction were CZK 5.596 billion (EUR 212 million), more than expected, said Hana Tovarkova, the CTU Council Chair. T-Mobile Czech Republic will pay the most, at CZK 1.89 billion, followed by Vodafone Czech Republic with total bids of CZK 1.568 billion and O2 Czech Republic at CZK 1.342 billion. CentroNet's fees will amount to CZK 628 million, and Nordic Telecom will pay CZK 168 million.
