NHH awards Antenna Hungaria, MTel 26GHz licences

Telecoms regulator the National Communications Authority of Hungary (NHH) has reportedly awarded Magyar Telekom (MTel) and alternative operator Antenna Hungaria licences to operate wireless/mobile networks using spectrum in the 26GHz frequency band. The NHH began assessing bid applications from the two firms in October 2008. MTel has been awarded the so-called ‘D’ package, having bid HUF500 million (USD2.3 million) for 84MHz bandwidth with a ten-year duration. Meanwhile, Antenna Hungary beat off a rival bid from GTS Datanet for the ‘E’ package, offering HUF220 million for 56MHz bandwidth in the 26GHz band. The government hopes that by licensing spectrum in the 26GHz band it will increase broadband coverage in the domestic market.