The Dutch multi-frequency spectrum auction has been further delayed while authorities carry out additional research, reports say.
The Netherlands’ Ministry of Finance is understood to have requested additional time to research the economic impact of 5G in the country. The Ministry says this is required to set the right prices for the spectrum.
The government was due to publish its mobile communications policy whitepaper, including plans on spectrum auctions.
More delay
The 5G auction was originally expected to take place in early 2018 but has faced multiple delays since then.
More recently, the spectrum auction was expected to be complete by the end of this year or early 2020 but that now looks unlikely too.
The Netherlands has not yet auctioned any 5G spectrum – Dutch operators are also waiting for a 3.5GHz spectrum auction, which is now looking likely in to take place at the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022
The economic research and analysis which the Ministry of Finance is insisting upon is expected to take at least three months.