The regulator is looking to harmonise spectrum allocations for maxium efficiency
The Croatian Regulatory Agency for Network Operations (HAKOM) has launched a public consultation on the allocation of spectrum in the 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands.
The regulator is proposing that the expiry date of all licences for those bands will end on 18 October 2024 so that a concurrent auction can be held for them all to maximise the efficiency of spectrum use – and the bidding, presumably.
The auction is expected to cover 60MHz in the 800MHz band, 70MHz at 900MHz, 150MHz at 1800MHz, 120MHz in the 2100MHz range and 140MHz in the 2.6GHz band. There will also be up to 80MHz available in the 3.5GHz band for regional operations.
The licences will be valid for 15 years, with an optional five-year extension. The public consultation is open until 16 September. HAKOM envisages operators will either be able to pay the total value of the licences in one transaction or in up to 10 equal annual instalments.
When HAKOM decided that a public auction will be carried out to allocate use of the frequency bands, it prepared an Information Memorandum that lays out the proposed conditions and terms.
Among other things, it regulates the obligations of sharing passive and/or active infrastructure and providing wholesale access to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
In creating the framework for the public auction, HAKOM factored in Croatia’s National Broadband Development Plan which in turn is harmonised with the country’s National Development strategy.