Spain postpones auction of 5G-ready frequencies in 700 MHz band

News Wireless Spain 31 MAR 2020
Spain postpones auction of 5G-ready frequencies in 700 MHz band

Spain’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has notified the European Commission that it will be unable to hold its auction of 5G-ready spectrum in the 700MHz band before the scheduled EU deadline of 30 June 2020, confirming earlier reports. In a statement, the ministry said the current "State of Alarm" caused by the coronavirus pandemic is behind the decision to suspend the country’s digital dividend plan to free up the 700 MHz band for 5G mobile services with a view to ensuring that digital terrestrial television (DTT) reception is not affected by the need to retune antennas.

The government was due to auction a total of 60MHz of frequencies in six 10MHz blocks, with Vodafone, Movistar (Telefonica), Orange and Masmovil expected to submit bids. In addition, the operators themselves have reportedly informed the Spanish government that they are not currently in a position to shell out the corresponding funds or set up the multidisciplinary teams required to bid for the licences. 

Simulcast broadcasting will continue until a new auction date is set based on when the containment measures adopted to deal with the coronavirus come to an end, added the ministry.

Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

Orange,  Vodafone,  Masmovil,  Movistar,  Telefonica

Countries:

Spain

Tags:

Government telecommunications licensing, Data services, Broadcast, Wholesale, 5G, Government policy

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