News
16 lots of FDD, 40 lots of TDD spectrum up for grabs; interested bidders have until 2 May to apply.
Hungary this week published detailed rules about its upcoming auction of spectrum in the 3.4 GHz and 3.8 GHz bands, giving prospective bidders until 2 May to submit their applications.
Hungary’s telco watchdog, the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMIA), is auctioning 16 2×5-MHz lots of FDD spectrum in the 3.4 GHz band and 40 5-MHz lots of TDD spectrum in the 3.8-GHz band.
Each lot of FDD spectrum carries a reserve price of 108 million forints (€347,263), while each lot of TDD spectrum has a HUF54 million reserve.
"The sale of frequency bands becoming available upon the expiry of their respective licences as well as those not used at present, is expected to step up competition in the Hungarian market, accelerate the expansion of penetration…and promote the provision of high-capacity, innovative, high-quality electronic communications services," the NMIA said in a statement.
The regulator did not say when it aims to start the auction, but said the frequencies will be available to use in July, and that licences will be valid until 2034.
Hungary is home to four mobile operators: Deutsche Telekom-owned Magyar Telekom, Telenor, Vodafone and newcomer Digi, which won spectrum in September 2014.
According to the most recent NMIA figures, published in June 2014, show Magyar Telekom leading the market with a 46.8% share, followed by Telenor and Vodafone on 30.5% and 22.7% respectively. The figures were published before Digi won its frequencies.
