Croatia launches 5G frequency auction

Croatia’s telecommunications regulator HAKOM launched a public auction for the allocation of frequency licences for 5G mobile networks, it said.

HAKOM will carry out three separate bidding procedures for the allocation of frequencies in the 700 MHz, 3,600 MHz and 26 GHz bands on a national level and one procedure for frequencies in the 3,600 MHz band on a regional level, it said in a statement on Thursday.

Licences will be issued for a period of 15 years and may be extended by up to five years. New licences in the Medimurje and Varazdin counties will be issued for a shorter period of 13 years as licences for 5G technology valid until 2023 have already been issued in those regions.

HAKOM noted it is using the Simultaneous Multi-Round Auction (SMRA) format, which allows bidders to bid on multiple individual lots at the same time. The specific location of the frequency blocks per bidder will be determined in an additional bidding round through sealed bids, the regulator said.

Applications can be submitted through June 11, while the main bidding phase will start on July 12. HAKOM said it plans to make the award decision by the end of August. SeeNews