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Regulator is examining bids from Vodafone, Digi for 3.4-GHz, 3.8-GHz airwaves.
Two of Hungary’s four mobile network operators are taking part in the country’s sale of spectrum in the 3.4 GHz and 3.8 GHz bands.
Vodafone and market newcomer Digi submitted applications that met the entry criteria, regulatory body the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMIA) announced late last week.
The regulator will now begin the formal process of examining the bids and, according to auction rules, will announce its decision in a few weeks.
There are 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 up for grabs. The former each carry a reserve price of 108 million forints (around €340,000), and the latter HUF54 million.
The NMIA noted that the bands in question are usable for data-intensive mobile broadband services, mobile backhaul, and fixed access networks.
Vodafone is Hungary’s second-largest mobile operator, according to figures published by the NMIA almost two years ago. In June 2014 it had a market share of 30.5%, while larger player Magyar Telekom had close to 47% and Telenor’s local unit close to 23%.
Shortly after the those figures were compiled, Digi became the market’s fourth operator. The firm – a Romania-based outfit that was already providing cable TV and broadband services in Hungary, as well as reselling mobile Internet services from Telenor – won 1800-MHz frequencies for HUF10 billion in a multi-band auction in September 2014.
