The award is scheduled for the first week of June 2019.
Background: The Norwegian regulator NKOM defined the overall framework to award spectrum in the 700MHz and 2.1GHz bands in December 2018. The auction rules for the implementation of the auction were under consultation until 13 February 2019.
What’s new? While the auction rules are yet to be finalised, NKOM has now confirmed a timetable for the coming weeks, leading to the award taking place on the first week of June 2019. 2x30MHz will be awarded in the 700MHz band, in 2x5MHz lots for 20 years and 2x14.8MHz in the 2.1GHz band, until 2032 in line with the existing licences in the band. Coverage obligations are attached to the 700MHz lots, to be fulfilled by 2025.
Next steps: NKOM plans to release the final rules in early April 2019, five weeks ahead of the deadline for participants to register. Two weeks before the auction, mandatory test auctions will be conducted. In a separate statement, NKOM announced a cap of 2x35MHz on sub-1GHz spectrum, which will also apply to the 450MHz licences to be awarded this year.
