The ACM will facilitate sharing in the context of 5G roll-out, by clarifying how operators can lease and rent frequencies and how they can work together in underserved regions.
Background: The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is setting the stage for 5G to be rolled out across the country next year. The ACM has already planned to auction spectrum in the 700MHz, 1.4GHz and 2.1GHz bands in Q1 2020. The 3.5GHz will follow, with a view to award that spectrum in 2021. It has now published guidelines for the sharing of infrastructure to promote 5G rollout.
What will the guidelines look like? A board member of the ACM comments: “We regularly get questions about what is and what is not allowed with regard to the sharing of infrastructure. Joining forces may offer telecom providers many benefits, but it cannot come at the expense of competition.” In the forthcoming discussions with telecoms operators, the ACM identified several topics to cover. These will include: the conditions under which telecom providers are allowed to work together in the roll-out of 5G, especially in unprofitable regions; the ability that spectrum license holders will have to lease and rent spectrum (viewed from a competition perspective); and the conditions for telecom providers that wish to use another provider’s 2G or 3G network (after they have disconnected their own in the transition towards 5G). Alongside the guidelines, the ACM will also monitor the dynamics of the market for cell sites. Given the increasing importance of suitable mast locations for 5G, the ACM aims to ensure the good functioning of this market.
Next steps: The ACM is still working on the guidelines. It will aim to publish them by February 2020, so that operators can take them into account ahead of the spectrum auction that will follow.
