The Swiss Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has successfully concluded the 5G auction. All three existing operators - Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom - were able to acquire a wide range of new frequencies in the auction, in the 700 MHz, 1400 MHz and 3500 MHz bands. The auction revenues for the federal government amount to around CHF 380 million.
The auction lasted from 29 January until 7 February. Four companies - Dense Air, Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom - had applied to participate, and all applicants were admitted and participated in the auction. While there was media speculations about a possible fourth market player from the UK, Dense Air ultimately did not purchase any frequencies.
Five frequency blocks of 5 MHz each in the 2600 MHz band as well as parts of the 700 and 1400 MHz bands remain unsold. The latter are so-called additional downlink frequencies, which can be used in the future for increased data download capacities. The un-allocated frequencies will be re-tendered at a later date.
The companies participating in the auction acquired the following rights according to the auction result:
- Salt : CHF 94,500,625 for 2x10 MHz in the 700 MHz band, 10 MHz of 1,400 MHz band, 80 MHz of 3.5 GHz band.
- Sunrise : CHF 89,238,101 for 2x5 MHz FDD and 10 MHz of SDL in 700 MHz band, 15 MHz of 1,400 band, 100 MHz in 3.5 GHz.
- Swisscom : CHF 195,554,002 for 2x15 MHz in 700 MHz band, 25 MHz of 1,400 MHz, 120 MHz of 3.5 GHz band.
The frequencies are awarded for 15 years.
The frequency allocation was carried out by means of clock auction. This auction format has allowed bidders to simultaneously bid on frequency blocks in all frequency categories to be awarded.
With bid constraints (so-called spectrum caps), ComCom has ensured that all mobile operators have been able to acquire a wide range of 5G frequencies at affordable prices.
