The Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) has announced that seven Italian operators will participate in the national 5G spectrum auction. Iliad, Telecom Italia (TIM), Fastweb, Vodafone Italia, Wind Tre, Linkem and Open Fiber will bid for licences in the 694-790 MHz, 3.6-3.8 GHz and 26.5-27.5 GHz bands, MISE said in a statement.
The tender process, approved in July 2018 and due to commence by the end of September, aims to raise at least EUR 2.5 billion from the licences, which will be valid until 2037. Half of the amount is expected to be raised this year and the sale and allocation of all frequencies in Italy’s 5G plan is unlikely be finalised before the end of 2022.
MISE said that new low-cost operator Iliad was the only participant to indicate it would bid for spectrum in the 700 MHz band frequencies currently used by broadcasters, and where special conditions apply to new entrants.
Under the tender's rules, a new entrant (or remedy taker) can acquire up to three blocks of 2x5 MHz in the 700 MHz band of the six available, while an operator that has 10 MHz in both the 800 MHz band and in the 900 MHz band, can acquire just two of these blocks.
MISE said all participants should lodge their initial offers by 10 September.
