Norway’s National Communications Authority (Nkom) has scheduled the start of bidding in its upcoming 900MHz mobile licence auction for 23 May 2017. On its website, the regulator announced that 2×20MHz (four blocks of 2×5MHz) will be up for grabs; the existing 900MHz band frequency licences held by Telia Norway and Telenor will expire on 31 December 2017. The minimum price per 2×5MHz block is set at NOK140 million (USD16.6 million).
TeleGeography notes that last week the Ministry of Transport & Communications (MoTC) reduced the individual spectrum cap on the 900MHz band from 2×20MHz to 2×15MHz, citing competition grounds; Telia had lobbied for the change, claiming that it expected rival Telenor to acquire frequencies with a view to limiting Telia’s competitiveness.
Nkom will publish the final 900MHz auction rules on 17 March, on which date it begins accepting applications, with a deadline of 20 April.