The Danish Energy Authority said it is starting the auction of spectrum in five frequency bands, namely the 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands. The bidders are TDC Net, 3 Denmark, and the Telia-Telenor joint venture, TT-Network. The permits are technology-neutral but the available frequencies are expected to be used for 5G.
There are obligations attached to the 2100 MHz spectrum to provide coverage in certain areas where mobile reception is currently poor.
The authority said the EU has identified the 3.5 GHz band as a 5G pioneer band, and Danish spectrum permit winners must deploy services more rapidly and broadly in Denmark than the market would be inclined to do on a commercial basis. The authority has already granted temporarily 3.5 GHz permits for 5G testing.
The auction will have five bidding phases and it is not known how long the auction will take. The first phase is for the allocation of frequencies that have coverage obligations attached, namely the 2100 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands. In the second stage, which is also due on 11 March, the authority will assign the 2100 MHz coverage areas.
The third auction phase is due to begin on 22 March. The authority said this is the main phase, under which everything else barring parts of the 26 GHz band will be allocated. These parts will be assigned in a fourth phase whose starting date is not yet decided. In the fifth phase, again with no set commencement date, the bidders will apply for and receive specific frequency placements within the respective bands.
