Belgian regulator BIPT has opened the call for participation in a mobile spectrum auction planned for June this year.
The spectrum auction will provide the first 5G licenses and redistribute key 2G and 3G bands, with a package of spectrum rights also reserved for a potential newcomer on the market.
“The BIPT is now inviting the parties interested to submit their candidacies for participation in this auction that aims to allocate spectrum user rights in the radio frequency bands situated in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, [1.4 GHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz and the 3.6 GHz] frequency band. By means of the radio frequencies assigned, the license holder will be able to roll out a national network and to provide mobile electronic communications services to the end-users,” the regulator said.
“Today, the 900 MHz, [1.8 GHz and 2.1 GHz] radio frequency bands are mostly used for 2G, 3G and 4G applications. The 700 MHz, [1.4 GHz and 3.6 GHz] radio frequency bands are new frequency bands that will be the first to be used for the 5G technology.” BIPT added.
The regulator also said that interested operators will have until February 16, 2022 to submit their applications, after which the BIPT will decide on the admissibility of each candidacy submitted.
Belgian operator Telenet started the gradual deployment of its 5G network in the country, in December 2021.
Telenet, which is controlled by U.S. company Liberty Global, said that the first 5G zones will be located around Leuven, Antwerp and the coast. In the course of 2022, the 5G network will be significantly expanded to the major Flemish cities.
The Belgian telco said that the 5G network is expected to reach nationwide coverage by 2025. In March 2021, Telenet had selected Ericsson, Nokia and Google Cloud as its 5G network suppliers. Ericsson will provide the Radio Access Network and Nokia the core network, while certain core functions will be developed with Google Cloud.
For the initial 5G rollout, Telenet is using the provisional spectrum license granted by BIPT in 2020. The telco is currently using frequencies in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band, which have a shorter range and is particularly suitable for increasing the capacity of the mobile network in specific places.
Telenet said that the telco is expecting the Belgian government to award additional 5G spectrum for the full rollout of its 5G network nationwide.
Rival operator Proximus was the first telco to launch 5G services in Belgium. At the end of 2020, Proximus’ 5G network was available at 138 sites in 69 cities and municipalities, mainly in Flanders.
Proximus uses existing radio frequencies in the 2.1 GHz band and has a temporary permit to use radio frequencies in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band.
