HAKOM launches public auction procedure for issuing the use of RF spectrum 5G mobile communications networks

The public auction will be carried out by means of electronic tendering system and requests for participation will be submitted in the period from 27 May to 11 June 2021.

ZAGREB, 27 May 2021 - The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) launched a public auction procedure for issuing licences for the use of RF spectrum for 5G mobile communications networks (5G) in the Republic of Croatia. Tenders for individual frequency bands will be carries out in four separate procedures (700 MHz, 3600 MHz, 26 GHz and 3600 MHz regional). The competition format was selected simultaneously in several rounds – Simultaneous Multi-Round AUCTION (SMRA), while the concrete placement of frequency blocks per bidder will be determined in the additional round of competition through sealed bidding. Licences will be issued for a period of 15 years (except in the case of Međimurje and Varaždin County, where licences for different 5G technology already exist and they are valid until 2023 and for these areas new licences are exceptionally issued for 13 years). Upon expiry of the period of validity of the licence, validity may be extended by a maximum of five years, as defined by the rules at the EU level.

The public auction will be fully carried out through an electronic tendering system. Participants will receive appropriate training to use the selected software solution. All interested parties that apply may apply for participation, including the provision of an appropriate guarantee for the seriousness and validity of the participation, depending on the frequency band and geographical area for which the applicant appears. Requests for participation will be submitted from 27 May to 11 June 2021. The main tendering stages will start on 12 July 2021. It is expected that the award decision will be made by the end of August, depending on the very course of the tender.
 
The frequency bands to be offered in the public auction procedure are: 

• 758-788/703-733 MHz
• 3400-3800 MHz
• 26.5-27.5 GHz 

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 regional (county) level in order to create business opportunities to the smaller, regional operators and to encourage the diversity of services by providing the end-users opportunit to choose. 
 
The following coverage obligations are set for the 700 MHz frequency band,  
Referring the 3600 MHz frequency band, a number of deployed base stations in use has been determined within a specified time frame and in a given geographical area. No coverage obligations are defined for the granting of RF spectrum licences in the 26 GHz frequency band. Regarding all frequency bands, deadlines for these coverage obligations to be fulfilled have also been set.
 
To recall, deployment of (5G) is one of the key factors for enabling broadband access to all households, reliable communication with small delays (latency) and connecting a large number of devices. It is expected that 5G will create preconditions not only for new services in mobile communications, but also for new services and applications in other industries such as automotive industry, health care, agriculture, tourism, education, media, etc. These networks conceptually represent a completely new ecosystem that includes not only stakeholders in the electronic communications market but also other markets.
All inquiries may be sent to the e-mail address 5Gdrazba@hakom.hr
 
The links below are as follows:
 
• Decision to call a public auction (27.5.2021.)
• Auction documentation (27.5.2021.)
• Request form for participation in the public auction procedure (27.5.2021.)
• News – amended 5 G auction documentation (7.6.2021.)
• Decision amending the auction documentation, amended documentation (7.6.2021.);
• Questions and answers asked - 5G auction (10.6.2021.)
• News - nine requests for participation in the public auction procedure for RF spectrum rights of use (17.6.2021.)
• Additional clarifications for the implementation of the tender (6.7.2021.)