NMHH announces tender for multiband mobile broadband licences

Hungarian industry regulator, the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), yesterday called a tender to sell off a number of 20-year broadband mobile licences, suitable for 4G/LTE services, as it looks to stimulate developments in the domestic high speed internet market. In its statement, the watchdog confirmed plans to auction off unused parts of the 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2600MHz frequency bands – along with part of the higher, 26GHz band – which it hopes will raise at least HUF104 billion (USD468.7 million) for government coffers. This is the first time that Hungary has made the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands available for high speed wireless services. In the news release yesterday, the NMHH said that interested parties must submit their bids by 16 June, with the winners securing rights on frequencies until 2034; the NMHH had previously indicated the concessions would only be valid (initially) for 15 years. The winners – which are likely to include incumbents T-Mobile, Telenor Hungary and Vodafone – will be announced between 45 and 150 days after the tender is called. ‘The concessions provide a sufficiently wide option for the providers to plan and the length of the concession may increase their willingness to invest while also reduces the investors’ risks,’ the watchdog said.