Romanian regulator ANCOM (National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications) has begun a consultation on its upcoming 5G spectrum auctions.
Spectrum in the 700MHz, 1500MHz, 2600MHz and 3400MHz-3800MHz frequency bands will go to auction later in the year, and ANCOM has proposed a reserve price of EUR694 million (USD693 million) for 555MHz of spectrum across all bands.
As reported by TeleGeography, the regulator has laid out its proposed allocations and reserve prices for each band. The 700MHz band will have six 2×5MHz blocks available at a reserve price of EUR55 million per lot, as well as three unpaired blocks of 5MHz SDL for EUR14 million per lot. In the 1500MHz band, eight unpaired blocks of 5MHz SDL will be available for EUR6 million per lot, while in the 2600MHz band four blocks of 2×5 MHz FDD will be up for auction with a reserve price of EUR3.25 million per lot. Finally, 40 unpaired blocks of 10MHz TDD will be available in the in the 3400MHz-3800MHz band for EUR6.5 million per lot.
Licences will be valid from either 2023 or 2026, with a validity period of 20 years. This does not apply to the 2600MHz band; there are active usage rights in this frequency which extend for another six years and three months, and so permits for this band that are sold in the upcoming auctions will be aligned with these.
ANCOM’s draft proposals require winning bidders to provide broadband coverage in urban areas and along major transport routes and hubs, as well as connecting 600 underserved localities. Stakeholders have until 27th July to provide feedback on the proposed licence costs and payment terms.