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The Australian Competition and Consumer these frequencies; the markets where the spectrum
Commission (ACCC) has issued a call for feedback on will be used; and any competition issues associated
‘any competition issues associated with an upcoming with how this spectrum is allocated. In addition, it
spectrum allocation which will impact rollout of 5G is also seeking feedback on potential competition
Australia services across the Australian economy’. In a press issues associated with the allocation of licenses for
release the regulator revealed that it has been asked spectrum in the wider 26GHz-28GHz band. According
to advise the country’s communications minister on to the ACCC, in developing its advice to the minister,
whether limits should be imposed on an upcoming it will consider the government’s ‘Communications
auction of spectrum in the 26GHz band and, if so, how Policy Objectives for the Allocation of the 26GHz band’,
such limits should be applied. With the Australian published in October 2019, and will work closely with
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the ACMA. Submissions from interested parties are
scheduled to conduct the sale process in early 2021, being accepted until 27 March 2020, with the minister
the ACCC is seeking views on: the likely demand reported to have requested the ACCC’s advice by mid-
for 26GHz spectrum licenses; the potential uses for May 2020. (February 26, 2020) commsupdate.com

Belgian regulator BIPT has proposed a solution to the government the authority to act, and the regulator
impasse over spectrum licenses in the country. The already held a public consultation on the proposal.
existing 2G and 3G licenses expiring next year would The country also faces the EU deadlines of 01 July
be extended for six months, and the regulator will 2020 to distribute the first 5G spectrum licenses in
Belgium issue temporary licenses for the 3.5 GHz band, without the 700 MHz band and 31 December 2020 to award
an auction, to allow operators to start launching 5G the 3.5 GHz range. Belgium’s failure to submit plans
services. BIPT started work on a spectrum auction back on these frequencies has prompted a procedure from
in 2018, but the sale has been delayed by elections last the European Commission for potential violations. EU
May and political disagreements over the distribution obligations aside, the BIPT said there is an economic
of proceeds among Belgium’s three regions. However, interest in starting 5G services, with multiple industries
an interim solution is needed, as the GSM licenses looking to adopt the technology and neighboring
for the 900 and 1,800 MHz band and UMTS licenses countries already issuing licenses and offering the
in the 2,100 MHz band will expire in March 2021. An services. The regulator proposes awarding part of
update of the electronic communications law, as well the spectrum under preliminary licenses based on
as a various royal decrees are needed in order to fix the the existing telecom law. This gives BIPT the right to
terms of any auction and new licenses. Several months award temporary rights for frequencies that are not yet
would be needed in order to pass such legislation. The the subject of legal award procedures. The BIPT has
former government approved the legal changes in July already published a communication on the proposed
2018, but there is not yet a new federal government to licenses and called for applications from interested
take up the legislation. The BIPT has concluded it’s parties by the end of February. After receiving the
unlikely to be able to hold an auction before the end applications, it will work out a procedure for issuing the
of 2020. In order to ensure the continuity of services, national licenses, in order to limit any further delays to
it recommends the acting government extend the the start of 5G services, the regulator said.
existing 2G and 3G licenses under the same terms (February 3, 2020) telecompaper.com
for six months. The public interest would give the

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