Poland’s regulator UKE (Urzad Komunikacji Elektronicznej / Office of Electronic Communications) has confirmed its reallocation plans for the 2100MHz band.
The country’s four main operators each hold 2100MHz licences which will expire at the end of 2022. CommsUpdate notes that the band was initially used for 3G, but with such services increasingly being wound down, it is set to be repurposed for 5G use.
UKE will reallocate the spectrum in Q2 2022, and since guard bands have been removed it is able to increase each holding from 2×14.8MHz to 2×15MHz. Licences will be valid for 15 years, with local outlet Telko.in reporting that the renewals are expected to generate around PLN1.9 billion (US$454 million) for UKE – almost half of which (PLN459.9 million) will be paid by T-Mobile, with the other three operators making up the remaining PLN475.6 million.