Page 139 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

that the move marks ‘an important step to facilitate each laid claim to a 2×10MHz block of spectrum in
better competition in the mobile market, good mobile the 700MHz band, while ice also successfully bid for
coverage along important roads and trains, and early 2×15MHz in the 2100MHz band. The auction raised
introduction of 5G in Norway’. To date, 700MHz band a total of NOK735.057 million for state coffers, Nkom
spectrum had been allocated for digital broadcasting, said, broken down as NOK337.176 million (ice),
but the government paid out a total of NOK150 NOK217.881 million (Telia) and NOK180.000 million
million (USD16.5 million) to free up the resource for (Telenor). Furthermore, Nkom confirmed that it plans
mobile communications services. In June 2019 Nkom to allocate more spectrum to mobile communications
announced the successful conclusion of the sale of in the coming years to accelerate the deployment of 5G
spectrum in the 700MHz and 2100MHz bands, noting services nationwide.
that the three incumbent mobile network operators (November 4, 2019) telegeography.com

The Polish telecoms regulator, the Office of Electronic this minimum target and bring in between PLN4
Communications (Urzad Komunikacji Elektronicznej, billion and PLN5 billion from its combined sales of 5G
UKE), has opened its consultation into its planned spectrum. (December 4, 2019) telko.in
auction of four licenses in the 3.4GHz-3.8GHz band.
Poland The watchdog is proposing to set a starting price of Poland’s Minister of Digitization says the government
is expecting to raise between PLN4 billion and PLN5
PLN450 million (USD116 million) for each of the 80MHz
concessions, meaning the sale would raise a minimum billion (USD1.0 billion-USD1.3 billion) from its sale of
of PLN1.8 billion. Earlier speculation had put the 5G-capable spectrum next year. Marek Zagorski is
reserve price at closer to PLN250 million per license. cited by news agency PAP as saying that the estimates
The UKE says it wants to award the four licenses are based on factors including the recent results of
by mid-2020. Under the current proposals, winning 5G auctions in countries such as Germany. Following
bidders will be expected to launch services over at the auction, which is scheduled for the middle of 2020,
least ten transmitters in one city within six months of operators will be expected to launch a 5G network in at
the award date, rising to 250 transmitters by end-2023 least one large city. Last month the government, state-
and 500 transmitters by end-2025. A report from Telko. backed telco Exatel, infrastructure investment fund PFR
in notes that these coverage requirements are fairly and the four main mobile network operators – Orange,
relaxed considering that a network to cover the capital Polkomtel (Plus), T-Mobile and P4 (Play) – signed an
Warsaw would need around 200 transmitters. With agreement to deploy a joint nationwide network in
four permits available and four major cellcos in Poland, the 700MHz band via a venture dubbed Polskie 5G.
the main focus of the bidding is likely to be on the PFR CEO Pawel Borys commented: ‘The aim of the
geographical range of the licenses. While concessions joint project is to ensure nationwide availability of 5G
A (3480MHz-3560MHz) and B (3560MHz-3640MHz) services in selected bands, technology security and
offer full nationwide coverage, licenses C (3640MHz- low service prices thanks to synergies of common
3720MHz) and D (3720MHz-3800MHz) come with infrastructure.’ (November 19, 2019) telegeography.com
certain geographic restrictions where spectrum has
not yet been freed up. (December 10, 2019) commsupdate.com Polish regulator UKE presented its concept for the
distribution of spectrum in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band during
Poland’s Office of Electronic Communications (Urzad the Ericsson Radio Tech Day, reports Telko.in. The
Komunikacji Elektronicznej, UKE) is set to publish its watchdog supports dividing the band into four blocks
proposals for auctioning 5G-capable spectrum in of 80 MHz each. Operators earlier said they believed the
the 3.4GHz-3.8GHz band. A report suggests that a blocks should be 100 MHz wide. UKE cannot propose
consultation document on the plans could be released four equivalent bands for participants in a tender for
by the end of this week, with an auction to take place in 5G spectrum which is due to be carried out in 2020.
the first half of next year. It is thought that the regulator Two of the blocks will be significantly restricted by
will look to award four blocks of 80MHz each, with the current use of the 3.4-3.8 GHz band. One regional
the country’s incumbent cellcos – Orange, P4/Play, block in the 3,400-3,480 MHz range, as well as four
T-Mobile and Polkomtel/Plus – expected to take part. national blocks, are due to be proposed for the tender.
UKE has said that it is aiming to raise a minimum of The national blocks are available in the 3,480-3,560
PLN1 billion (USD258 million) from the sale, with some MHz, 3,560-3,640 MHz, 3,640-3,720 MHz and 3,720-
speculation that this could mean a reserve price of 3,800 MHz ranges. UKE plans to use the Simultaneous
PLN250 million for each license. The Polish government Multiple Round Action model to award the frequencies.
has previously said that it is hoping to easily surpass Participants will submit offers for bands in which they

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