HAKOM launched public auction procedure for issuing RF spectrum licences for mobile communications networks

Requests for participation will be submitted from 17 October to 4 November 2022. The main bidding phase will begin on January 16 2023. The public auction will entirely conducted through an electronic bidding system.

ZAGREB, October 12, 2022 - The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) has launched a public auction procedure for issuing RF spectrum licences for mobile communications networks in the Republic of Croatia. Biddings for all frequency bands at the regional level will be conducted in one procedure (800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz), while the bidders for the 3600 MHz frequency band at the regional level will be conducted in a separate bidding procedure. Simultaneous Multi-Round Auction (SMRA) was selected as the bidding format, while the specific placement of frequency blocks per bidder will be determined in an additional round of bidding through sealed bids specifically for a particular frequency band. Licences will be issued for a period of 15 years. Upon expiry of the period of validity of the licence, it is possible to extend the validity for a maximum of five years, as determined by the rules at the EU level.

The public auction will be conducted entirely through an electronic bidding system. Participants will undergo appropriate training for the use of the selected software solution. All interested parties who submit a request can apply for participation, which includes submitting an appropriate guarantee for the seriousness and validity of participation, the amount of which depends on the frequency band and geographical area for which the applicant applies. Applications for participation will be submitted from October 17 to November 4, 2022. The main bidding phase will begin on January 16, 2023. It is expected that the award decision will be made during the first half of March, which will also depend on the bidding process itself.

The frequency bands that will be offered in the public auction procedure are:

• 791-821/832-862 MHz
• 880-915/925-960 MHz
• 1710-1785/1805-1880 MHz
• 1920-1980/2110-2170 MHz
• 2500-2570/2620-2690 MHz
• 3400-3480 MHz

Frequency bands will be allocated at the national level, except for the 3400-3480 MHz frequency block in the 3400-3800 MHz band, which will be allocated at the regional (county) level to create business opportunities for smaller, regional operators and to encourage the diversity of services and give end-users the possibility to choose.

The obligation to cover 99.4 percent of the population of the Republic of Croatia with at least a reference signal received power (RSRP) of -110 dBm until December 31, 2029 was determined for the frequency bands 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz.

The obligation to put into operation at least one base station by December 31, 2024 in each county where the license holder has acquired the right to use the RF spectrum has been determined for the 3600 MHz frequency band at the regional (county) level.

Licenses for the use of the RF spectrum for the frequency bands that are the subject of this allocation procedure expire at the end of 2023 and are used for mobile communications networks of all generations (2G, 3G, 4G and 5G), and this allocation will ensure the continuation of high-quality services in the networks mobile communications.
Any inquiries may be sent to the e-mail address of the drazba@hakom.hr.

U nastavku su poveznice na:

• Desicion to call a public auction.pdf
• Auction documentation.pdf
• Application form for participation in the public auction procedure.docx