Lithuanian telecoms watchdog the Communications Regulatory Authority (Rysiu Reguliavimo Tarnyba, RRT) has kicked off the auction of 5G mobile spectrum in the 700MHz band. The tender comprises the sale of one 2×10MHz block (713MHz-723MHz/768MHz-778MHz) and two lots of 2×5MHz (723MHz-728MHz/778MHz-783MHz and 728MHz-733MHz/783MHz-788MHz), with initial prices set at EUR5 million and EUR3 million, respectively. Spectrum licences are valid for an initial period of 20 years. As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, in January this year the RRT postponed the deadline for interested parties to submit documents for the 700MHz auction to 25 March 2022. Subsequently, the RRT confirmed that the country’s three existing mobile networks operators – Bite Lithuania, Tele2 Lithuania and Telia Lietuva – had all registered to take part in the tender.
Winning bidders are subject to certain rollout and service provision obligations, including a requirement to launch commercial 5G services in at least one of the country’s five largest cities (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai and Panevezys) within six months and to all five by 31 December 2023.
Source: https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2022/05/25/lithuania-kicks-off-700mhz-spectrum-auction/
