OSLO, Norway-The Norwegian government said it will ease third-generation license conditions as it increases competition, with plans to auction two more 3G licenses in the country.
The regulator said the minimum conditions for 3G coverage will be reduced to 30 percent of the population within six years from the time licenses were granted, and operators can postpone their rollouts by up to 15 months. The two 3G license holders, Netcom and Telenor, will have to pay for the delay if they choose to use it, although the fee was not announced.
Norway also awarded a 3G license to Tele2 in November 2000, but the operator plans to return the license to the government to avoid the high buildout costs.
The government said it plans to auction the two additional 3G licenses “as soon as possible.”
