Serbia’s three main mobile network operators will together pay €105.05 million for spectrum freed up by the move to di gital TV services, the country’s regulator announced late last week.
After a competitive bidding process, Vip mobile, Telenor and Telekom Srbija each emerged with two 5-MHz blocks of 800-MHz spectrum, paying just over the reserve price, according to a statement from Serbia’s Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services, known locally as RATEL.
Telekom Srbija, which operates under the MTS banner in the mobile market, paid the most for its 10 MHz of spectrum with a final bill of €35.05 million, followed by Telenor Serbia with a €35.002 million bid and Vip mobile with €35 million.
RATEL had set a reserve price of €17.5 million per 5-MHz block.
The licences are valid for 10 years with a possibility of a further five-year extension.
"We are very pleased with the successful implementation of this process," said RATEL director Vladica Tintor.
The sum raised will contribute to Serbia’s national coffers, while ensuring better quality mobile services for end-users and facilitating the launch of new services, he explained.
"The result will be a more dynamic and competitive market for mobile telephony services in Serbia," he added.
Serbia completed its digital television switchover in June. It has earmarked the freed-up spectrum to enhance 4G services in the country.
