Two applicants have been qualified by Hungary’s National Media & Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) in the auction process for 3400MHz-3800MHz wireless broadband frequencies, namely cellco Vodafone Hungary and pay-TV/broadband operator DIGI Telecommunications, the regulator announced on its website. The authority added that it will undertake ‘substantive examination’ of the bids before announcing the results ‘in a few weeks’. Winners will be entitled to use the frequencies until 2034.
The NMHH points out that in addition to mobile broadband access services, the 3400MHz-3800MHz spectrum also supports wireless backhaul and high speed fixed-wireless access, while the auction is particularly aimed at meeting broadband demand in underserved areas and boosting available capacity in urban areas of intensive usage.
DIGI, owned by Romanian cable group RCS&RDS, currently offers triple-play TV, internet and fixed telephony over its own HFC network, alongside mobile internet resale over the Telenor Hungary network, but it is in the process of entering the facilities-based 4G mobile operating sector via an 1800MHz LTE licence won in September 2014.