Norway’s National Communications Authority (Nasjonal kommunikasjonsmyndighet – Nkom), which oversees the regulation of Svalbard’s wireless sector, has invited interested parties to apply for spectrum in the 700MHz band covering the archipelago. With the move having been prompted by an application to use such frequencies from an unnamed party, the Nkom has set a deadline of 31 August 2018 for interested parties to come forward. Here, the Nkom has noted that 2×30MHz will be assigned for mobile communications services in the 700MHz band (703MHz-733MHz/758MHz-788MHz), and the available frequency resources will be divided into six duplex blocks of 2×5MHz. In the event of demand outstripping supply, meanwhile, the watchdog says that it will apply a spectrum cap of 2×10MHz per operator. The frequencies in question will be available for immediate use as soon as licences are issued, with the concessions to be valid until 31 December 2038.
Also of note, any company that does secure a licence will be required to provide mobile broadband coverage using the 700MHz band to 40% of Svalbard’s population within five years of the licence coming into force, and at an average downlink speed of 5Mbps.