Montenegro’s telecom watchdog EKIP has approved bids placed by Mtel, Crnogorski Telekom and Telenor Montenegro in a public auction for allocation of national frequency licenses for 5G mobile networks.
Mtel won frequencies in the 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz and 2.6 GHz spectra, while Crnogorski Telekom and Telenor Montenegro secured frequencies in the 2.6 GHz spectrum at the auction held December 27.
The licences will be valid until September 1, 2031, according to EKIP
Montenegro has recently adopted a roadmap to encourage the introduction of 5G mobile networks by the end of 2022. A national strategy is expected to be adopted next year, defining further activities for the support of the rollout of 5G networks in Montenegro, per government’s previous statements.
Measures and policy reforms envisaged by the roadmap relate to harmonisation of national legislation for electronic communications with the EU rules, implementation of 5G networks on the entire territory of Montenegro and pilot testing projects and removing administrative obstacles, among others.
Meanwhile, EKIP said the number of mobile phone subscribers in Montenegro rose 3.7% year-on-year to 1,120,074 at the end of December.
The mobile penetration rate in Montenegro went down to 180.65% in December from 185.53% at the end of November, when the number of subscribers was 1,150,310.