Govt floats tender for auction of 5G frequencies

The government has issued an invitation to apply for electronic communications licences for the purpose of providing telecommunications services within the 26 GHz spectrum (25.1-27.5 GHz).

The spectrum can be used to build wireless broadband in mainland Finland using 5G technology, said an official press release.

Finland is among the leading countries in the world in introducing the 5G technology. The 26 GHz spectrum to be auctioned increases the capacity of high-speed wireless broadband connections.

The 26 GHz spectrum is suitable for providing high connection speeds, for example, in cities, transport nodes and public events.

The licences will be granted through an auction process. An enterprise, organisation or association that wishes to take part in the auction must register at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom by no later than 20 May 2020.

The names of the enterprises, organisations or associations registered for the auction are not accessible to the public before the conclusion of the auction process. The spectrum auction will begin on 8 June 2020. It will be arranged by the Traficom.

The winning bids will be disclosed after the auction process has been concluded.

The so-called 26 GHz spectrum covers the frequencies of 24.25-27.5 GHz. Applications are invited for three network licences available for national use in mainland Finland.

The frequencies of 25.1-27.5 GHz will be auctioned as three 800 MHz frequency bands. The starting price will be EUR seven million per 800 MHz frequency band. Those registering for the auction will be charged a participation fee of EUR 40,000. The government decided on the terms of the auction on 8 April 2020.

Finland is among the first countries in the world to introduce 5G frequencies. The government granted licences in the 3.5 GHz frequency band in 2018 and the construction of the first 5G networks started in the beginning of 2019.

The spectrum to be auctioned can be used for the construction of 5G networks as of 1 July 2020. The licences are valid until 31 December 2033 in the mainland Finland.