Norwegian communications regulator Nkom said it started the 700 MHz and 2.1 GHz auction on 03 June, enabling bidders to acquire important 5G frequency resources for the next 20 years. It is offering 2 x 30 MHz in the 700 MHz band and 2 x 15 MHz in the 2.1 GHz band. It will publish the results once the auction has finished.
For the first time, winners will be allowed to postpone the payment of parts of their auction prices. In return, they will be required to make investments equal to NOK 250 million in new and better coverage over the next two years.
Frequency resources in the 700 MHz band are important for fast roll-out of 5G in Norway, and are available for deployment from 01 November 2019. John-Eivind Velure, director of the spectrum department, said the 700 MHz band can provide better coverage and capacity on mobile networks, and one of the key objectives of the award is improved coverage along main motorways and railways.
