The Circuit Court of Tallinn has suspended the government’s auction of 5G spectrum in the 3.6GHz (3410MHz-3800MHz) band following a complaint about the rules of the tender. The suspension, which came on the same day as the deadline for bidder applications, prohibits the start of the competition until at least 21 April.
Levikom Eesti, a provider of IoT and fixed-wireless internet services, had filed a complaint saying that the government’s decision to offer only three licences in the 3.6GHz band favours the country’s trio of incumbent cellcos, while also hampering competition. In addition, Levikom says that it is currently utilising frequencies in the same band for its existing services and regulations covering the transfer of spectrum have not been followed. The firm wants the auction to provide four or more concessions, with at least one dedicated to ‘regional use for industrial consumers, medical institutions and regional operators’. Estonia’s three incumbent mobile operators – Telia, Elisa and Tele2 – had all indicated that they intended to take part in the 3.6GHz auction.