Armenia’s telecoms regulator the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) has reportedly approved a decision to hold a series of tenders for the rights to use the 700MHz, 800MHz and 1800MHz frequency bands.
In creating a tender commission to oversee the process, the PSRC said the auction should lead to the deployment of 5G mobile broadband networks in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor, as well as increasing the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and improvements in terms of access to mobile broadband network coverage in indoor areas. Details are sketchy, but the government hopes the auctions will raise at least AMD3.8 billion (USD9 million) for state coffers from the licensing of 90MHz of radio frequencies through the tender. Further, successful licensees are forecast to need to spend between AMD25 billion and AMD35 billion to meet the obligations stipulated by the permits.