Swedes consult on spare 1800MHz block

Swedish telecoms regulator PTS is conducting a consultation on its plans to assign a 2×5MHz block in the 1800MHz band (block ‘14’) through a spectrum auction, with a preliminary auction date set for 1 November 2016, it disclosed in a press release. Industry stakeholders can submit comments by 24 February on the plan which involves a highest price, closed bid auction with a minimum floor bid, and a licence period 1 June 2017 to 31 December 2027. PTS will finalise the exact spectrum block placement depending on the auction winner, to prevent interference in neighbouring frequencies. As it stands TeliaSonera Sweden holds 2×35MHz in the 1800MHz band (1710MHz-1745MHz / 1805MHz-1840MHz) whilst the joint infrastructure venture Net4Mobility has access to another 2×35MHz block (1745MHz-1780MHz / 1840MHz-1875MHz). TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database shows that the latter block is owned by Tele2 Sweden (2×15MHz) and Telenor Sweden (2×10MHz) with 2×10MHz directly held by Net4Mobility.