Slovakia’s government has stated that it plans to commence its delayed 5G spectrum auction before the end of 2020.
Ivan Martak, chairman of regulator RU (Regulacny urad - Office for Regulation of Electronic Communications & Postal Services), was quoted in local news outlet Zive.sk as saying: “The priority is to complete the 5G auction. We have suspended it since 18 June, which was three months ago. We have millions of euros deposited [from interested parties] as a financial security. We definitely want to have it ready by the end of the year.”
TeleGeography reports that the regulator has not given an official reason for the auction’s suspension in June, but it has reportedly cited “unspecified security risks” as a factor.
Several frequencies will be sold at the upcoming auction, including a 60MHz block of 5G-capable 700MHz spectrum. This will be sold in 2x5MHz blocks with a reserve price of EUR16 million (US$18.7 million) for a 20-year concession. Operators will not be able to acquire more than 2x15MHz so that no one party can monopolise the spectrum. Blocks in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands will also be available.
