The Czech Republic has launched a young for frequencies for next-generation 5G networks, its telecoms regulator CTU mentioned on Friday, sparking criticism from potential bidders.
The public sale of frequencies within the 700 MHz and three.4-3.5 GHz bands is aimed toward boosting competitors in a market the place excessive costs have lengthy been a gripe of consumers and politicians.
bidders have till Sept. 30 to use, CTU mentioned.
The regulator mentioned that after public consultations it had reserved a bit of 2×10 MHz within the 700 MHz band for brand new entrants.
CTU additionally set spectral limits in each bands and mentioned present operators would want to offer nationwide roaming companies for newcomers ought to they succeed within the public sale.
O2 Czech Republic, Deutsche Telekom’s T-Cellular and Vodafone are the nation’s present operators.
The latter mentioned that the public sale was not nicely ready.
“Given the errors and issues within the situations, it may be anticipated that the public sale will end in clashes at courts and in addition the European Fee,” Vodafone mentioned in a press release.
T-Cellular mentioned it was shocked by the CTU’s motion.
“Now we have to review the situations and ponder our subsequent steps, together with doable prices,” spokesman Jiri Janecek mentioned.
Final month, O2 Czech Republic complained to the European Fee over some 5G public sale situations.
The deliberate public sale for brand new 5G frequencies has been hit by delays because the state seeks to draw a fourth operator.
In January, the previous head of CTU resigned over authorities modifications to the public sale, saying they risked slowing the rollout of the know-how and had been more likely to end in courtroom disputes.
