The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (Post & Telestyrelsen, PTS) has invited applications for an auction of wireless spectrum licences in the 700MHz band. Applications can be made until 5 November, with the auction due to begin on 4 December. A total of 60MHz of spectrum will be sold, with a cap of 40MHz per operator to ensure that at least two players have access to frequencies. The auction has been split into two lots of 2×5MHz and one lot of 2×10MHz, plus four 1×5MHz blocks for supplemental downlink (SDL). The reserve price has been set at SEK50 million (USD5.7 million) per 5MHz, meaning the sale will raise a minimum of SEK600 million. The 700MHz band has been earmarked for future 5G mobile services.
Dan Sjoblom, Director General of the PTS, commented: ‘The government’s goal is to ensure that everyone in Sweden has good access to stable, high quality mobile services wherever they are by 2023. The auction in the 700MHz band is a way to contribute to that goal.’
Sweden also plans to sell off spectrum licences for 5G services in the 3.4GHz-3.8GHz band in 2019. The regulator intends to offer 300MHz of frequencies on a nationwide basis, while also reserving 100MHz for regional concessions. The PTS is also looking at auctioning 5G mobile licences in the 26.5GHz-27.5GHz band, though it is awaiting moves towards the international harmonisation of the band before proceeding. The Swedish mobile market is currently home to five network operators: Telia, Tele2, Telenor, Hi3G Access (Tre) and Net 1.
