The CTU awarded the 700MHz and 3.5GHz bands to five operators.
New operators enter the market: On 13 November 2020, the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) concluded the auction of spectrum in the 700MHz and 3.5GHz bands. All the lots on offer were awarded to five operators. The CTU noted that the outcome enables new operators to both strengthen their position and enter the 3.5GHz band.
Existing MNOs obtained the 700MHz band: In the 700MHz band, O2 won the 2x10MHz lot subject to wholesale access requirements, whereas T-Mobile and Vodafone won the two remaining 2x10MHz lots. The same operators won a total 100MHz in the 3.5GHz band, with new entrants CentroNet and Nordic Telecom obtaining 80MHz and 20MHz, respectively.
A good deal for operators: The 700MHz spectrum cost a total CZK3.99bn (USD178.9m), resulting in 0.28 $/MHz/pop. This is slightly higher than what German operators paid (0.23 $/MHz/pop) and far less than what was paid by Swedish MNOs (0.74). Spectrum in the 3.5GHz band cost 0.03 $/MHz/pop – about a fifth of what UK operators paid in 2018 (0.15 $/MHz/pop).
