Government wants to auction frequencies for 4g and 5g in the fall of 2019

By admin On Sep 20, 2017

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The auction for the 700MHz, 1400MHz and 2100MHz frequency bands will take place in the autumn of 2019. Companies that bid can use the space for a period of 20 years for 4G and 5G networks.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is auctioning the space in the 700MHz, 1400MHz and 2100MHz bands for the period 2020 to 2040. During that period, telecom companies can use the frequencies for fast mobile internet, including future 5G networks.

Currently, mobile operators use the 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz bands for mobile internet. Although the ministry explicitly mentions the use of 5g for the space to be auctioned, that specification is not yet ready. Perhaps the telecom industry will use higher frequencies for 5g.

“A new, national auction of the available frequencies for wireless communication will lead to extra capacity for faster internet services,” said Minister Kamp of Economic Affairs. The auction is accompanied by a coverage obligation to force companies to offer good coverage in rural areas, where mobile internet is still insufficient.

The ministry will publish details about the auction in the Mobile Communications Memorandum, which is to be published this year. Among other things, it will state which frequencies may be used without a licence. In any case, that will not be the 2x10MHz space in the 2100MHz band, as the ministry suggested earlier.

That space is currently in use, but the permits run until 2021. Based on research, the Strict agency concludes that 2x10MHz is insufficient and is becoming available too late. According to the agency, there are better alternatives, such as the 2300MHz and 3400 to 3800MHz bands. In addition, the 5GHz band, now in use for Wi-Fi, could perhaps be used, according to Strict.

Currently, 2x5MHz in the 1800MHz band, the dect guard band, is available for mobile communication without a licence. Companies have indicated to the government that they want to use the tires for specific applications without a permit. The ministry mentions automated container transhipment and communication related to the handling of baggage at airports as examples.