Romania to hold 5G auction by end of 2019

Romania's telecommunications authority Ancom said it will finalise the 5G spectrum auction no later than December 2019. During the auction, Ancom will award frequency use rights in the 700 MHz band and other bands envisaged for the provision of fixed and mobile communications over 5G technology. 

The authority adopted a plan for providing 5G licences that includes the schedule for the allotment of the 470-790 MHz frequency band as well as the associated regulatory options in the form of a National Roadmap for the Allotment and Future Use of the 470-790 MHz band. Ancom agreed on the schedule for making available the radio spectrum needed to implement 5G technology in Romania during the consultation on the 700 MHz band. It said it will complete the whole documentation of this auction, including reserve prices, by July 2019.

In order for the 700 MHz band to be available, Ancom will propose amendments to the NTFA (National Table of Radio Frequency Allocations) and the allocation of the 790 MHz band to terrestrial mobile service, as the band is allocated to digital terrestrial television services at the moment.

By the end of 2018, Ancom will create and adopt a national position on the allotment and future use of radio frequencies available in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2600 MHz, 3400-3600 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands for broadband wireless electronic communications systems. Another action with impact on the implementation of 5G technologies is the conclusion of bilateral co-ordination agreements with the neighbouring countries by 30 June 2019.