Denmark invites operators to consult on 3G licence

Danish regulator the National IT and Telecom Agency (Telestyrelsen) yesterday invited interested companies to discuss terms and conditions of a fourth 3G mobile licence, which it is hoping to auction before the end of the year. Denmark’s second largest mobile operator Sonofon, owned by Norway’s Telenor, will definitely participate in the auction, according to a Telenor official. Telestyrelsen originally awarded four 3G licences in 2001 to TeliaSonera’s local unit Telia Denmark, TDC Mobil, Hi3G Denmark and Orange Denmark, but Orange’s concession was returned to the regulator in 2004 after TeliaSonera acquired the cellco. Hi3G, a Hutchison Whampoa joint venture, is currently the only operator to have launched 3G services. The details of the upcoming auction process will be published in November.