Poland decides on auction format for 3.5GHz spectrum

Poland’s Office of Electronic Communications (Urzad Komunikacji Elektronicznej, UKE) has decided to allocate 5G-capable spectrum in the 3.4GHz-3.8GHz range via a competitive auction rather than a tender process. A report from Gazeta Wyborcza says that the decision was reached following ‘consultation with the market’. While there has been some criticism of the move, including claims that UKE is simply looking to maximise government revenues from the sale of 3.5GHz frequencies, the regulator says that an auction is the fairest method of allocation and allows operators room for manoeuvre, given that the sale will not be divided into evenly sized spectrum blocks.