On July 20, the tender for frequencies of the 700 MHz band begins, a priority for deploying 5G networks and services
15/07/2021
Next Tuesday, 20 July, the first round of the tender will be held to obtain concessions in the 700 MHz frequency band, in which Telefónica, Vodafone and Orange will bid for resources in the radio spectrum that will allow them to deploy networks and offer 5G services.
Next Tuesday, July 20, the first round of the tender to obtain concessions of the 700 MHz frequency band will be held, in which Telefónica, Vodafone and Orange will bid for resources of the radio spectrum that will allow them to deploy networks and offer 5G services.
Daily, the Award Table will publish on the website of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation the information of the rounds held on the day. The information will be disclosed when the Award Table considers the end of the auction round session of the day.
The auction offers a total of 75 MHz divided into 60 MHz for upstream and downstream communications, and 15 MHz for downstream only, distributed in seven state-wide concessions:
The concessions will have a minimum duration of 20 years and a maximum duration of 40. The starting prices are as follows (see table in PDF):
Prior to the auction, operators have already conducted training sessions on the use of the secure Electronic Auction Platform (PES). The Award Table shall terminate the bidding process when no new bids are received in a round.
The bases establish limits on the number of frequencies available to an operator in any territorial area and which are a maximum of 2 x 15 MHz with respect to the 700 MHz paired band and a maximum of 2 x 35 MHz with respect to the set of spectrum intended for electronic communications in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz paired bands.
5G technology boost
The promotion of 5G technology in Spain is a priority of Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, which provides for a public investment of 1.5 billion euros to accelerate its deployment.
This is the third auction of frequencies for 5G networks carried out in our country, after the auction of the band 3.6-3.8 GHz held in 2018 and the tender of 20 MHz of that same band carried out last December 2020.
5G technology is expected to have a major impact on the economy and job creation as it will enable the development of applications that will change the way products and services are produced, distributed and consumed. In addition, it will be crucial for digital transformation, as it will help other technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, robotics, virtual reality or artificial intelligence to develop all their capabilities.