Hungary’s telecoms regulator the National Communications Authority (NHH) says no fewer than eleven companies have purchased tender documents for its forthcoming auction of mobile frequencies, first announced on 22 October. The licences on offer – for which the country’s three incumbent operators have been barred from bidding – are for 15-years with the possibility of a seven-and-a-half year extension, local press reports. The NHH is auctioning two different mobile operators licences: the first in the GSM/DCS/UMTS frequency band used by the existing operators and the second in the 450MHz band, which is not currently utilised in Hungary. In addition, the regulator is looking to place five licences for wireless services in the 26GHz band in a bid to drive broadband access across the country. ‘This range could play a crucial role in the development of the internal infrastructure of mobile operators and other market players as well as large corporations for example; furthermore, it could contribute to expanding current levels of wireless broadband internet coverage in Hungary,’ the NCA said
The NHH says it hopes to announce the results of the two mobile auctions as early as 22 December 2008, with the winners of the five 26GHz concessions being made known no earlier than 30 January 2009.