The ComCom auctioned spectrum in the 700MHz, 1.4GHz, and 3.5GHz bands.
Background: The Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) invited operators to tender for 5G spectrum in July 2018, offering airwaves in the 700MHz, 1.4GHz, 2.6GHz, and 3.5GHz. The auction eventually took place between 29 January and 7 February 2019.
What was the outcome? Three of the four operators admitted won spectrum across three of the four bands. The lots in the 2.6GHz band (five TDD lots of 5MHz each) went all unsold. The auction raised a total CHF379.3m (USD378.3m); Swisscom paid CHF195.6m (USD195m), followed by Salt (CHF94.5m, USD94.2m) and by Sunrise (CHF89.2m, USD88.9m). Dense Air withdrew from the process and did not get any spectrum.
What are the licences like? Rights of use last about 15 years, until the end of 2033. They are all subject to coverage obligations, which are more stringent if the rights include 700MHz FDD spectrum (50% of the Swiss population to be covered by the end of 2024).
