Spectrum Newsletter – June 2023

This edition of the Spectrum Newsletter, updated to the end of April 2023, highlights the spectrum auction activity in four regions worldwide:

• The Americas (Latin America (LATAM) and North America (NA))
• Asia–Pacific (emerging Asia–Pacific (EMAP) and developed Asia–Pacific (DVAP))
• Europe (Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Western Europe (WE))
• The Middle East and Africa (MEA). 

Notable events in the period include the following.

• Canada. On 17 January 2023, the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) concluded its auction for 42 regional spectrum licences in the 600MHz, 2600MHz TDD and FDD and 3500MHz bands. The available licences were left unsold in previous auctions and were reauctioned to improve connectivity in the rural and remote communities of Canada. Six operators participated including Bell Canada, ECOTEL, Rogers Communications, Sogetel, TBayTel and Vidéotron. The auction raised a total of USD20.7 million over 27 regional licences, 15 licences were left unsold.

• Croatia. On 8 March 2023, the Crotian Regulator, HAKOM announced that it had closed its multi-band spectrum auction for national licences in the 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz bands, with additional regional licenses in the 3500MHz TDD band (previously unsold in HAKOM’s national 2021 auction). At the national level, A1 Hrvatska secured 2x10MHz of 800MHz, 2x15MHz of 900MHz, 2x25MHz of 1800MHz, 2x15MHz of 2100MHz and 2x25MHz of 2600MHz, spending USD115.3 million. Hrvatski Telekom secured 2x10MHz of 800MHz, 2x15MHz of 900MHz, 2x30MHz of 1800MHz, 2x25MHz of 2100MHz and 2x25MHz of 2600MHz, spending USD142.7 million. Telemach Hrvatska secured 2x10MHz of 800MHz, 2x5MHz of 900MHz, 2x30MHz of 1800MHz, 2x20MHz of 2100MHz and 2x20MHz of 2600MHz, spending USD99.6 million. 

• French Guiana, Saint Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. On 20 April 2023, France’s regulator, ARCEP announced that it had concluded its 700MHz spectrum auction in three of its oversea territories – French Guiana, Saint Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. The auctions took place on the 18 April 2023 and involved five operators, Dolphin Telecom, Digicel, Free Caribbean, Orange Caribbean and Outremer Telecom (SFR). 

• Namibia. On 17 February 2023, the Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) confirmed its plans to hold a spectrum auction for frequencies in the 700MHz and 800MHz bands. The auction is expected to take place from 24 July 2023 to 1 August 2023. The spectrum will be used for 4G and 5G services and to support the socio-economic development and digital transformation of Namibia. The format of the auction will be a ‘beauty contest’ whereby participants will be assigned spectrum based on business cases.