The Dutch government wants to hold the mobile spectrum auction for 800, 900 and 1800 Mhz frequencies at the end of next year, or the beginning of 2012 at the latest. The auctions will include the existing licences held by KPN, T-Mobile Netherlands and Vodafone Netherlands, and the 60 MHz of paired spectrum from the digital dividend. The new licences will run until 2030, according to the Strategic Mobile Communications Paper published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
A block of 2x10 in the 800 MHz band has been reserved for newcomers, which include Ziggo and Tele2 Netherlands. The idea is to make sure that at least one new party can get a licence. In 2015, the IMT2000 licences will be auctioned. These will have the same roll-out obligations as the 2.6 GHz licences: 20 km2 after two years and 200 km2 after five. The requirement applies to each lot of 5 MHz unpaired or 2x5 paired spectrum.
The remaining spectrum in the 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands will also be auctioned. The former UMTS spectrum of Telfort will receive a permit until the end of 2016 and will then be auctioned off again with the rest of the band.
Frequencies still to be auctioned in the 800 Mhz band are currently being used by other parties, such as Digitenne, the Dutch Public Broadcaster and users of wireless microphones. Alternative freqencies and solutions are being examined for these parties, possibly with a transition period. The ministry expects that the band will be available for use in 2013.
A few main principles:
◦ No caps for parties, but a reservation in the 800 MHz band;
◦ Parties can get a mixture of high and low spectrum;
◦ Usage requirments set up against speculation and strategic purchasing;
◦ Transferability of spectrum and cooperation within permit conditions. Joint infrastructure and national roaming allowed;
◦ There is, unlike the 2.6 GHz auction, an emergency brake procedure;
◦ Withdrawn or returned spectrum will go back to the market faster via distribution on demand (VOA);
◦ The 3.5 GHz band and additional 700 MHz spectrum have not yet been valued;
◦ The next distributions preliminarily scheduled for 2028 and 2033 (2.1 GHz).
