ANCOM Is Launching A Public Consultation On New Rights To Use Radio Spectrum With A View To 5G Technologies

ANCOM recently launches a public consultation on the need and the desirability of organizing a competitive selection procedure for granting rights to use radio frequencies in the new harmonized European frequency bands for terrestrial broadband mobile communications systems, namely 694-790 MHz and 1452 -1492 MHz, as well as in the sub-bands remaining unadjusted following previous selection procedures, namely 791-796 MHz / 832-837 MHz, 2530-2570 MHz / 2650-2690 MHz, 3410-3420 MHz / 3510-3520 MHz and 3450-3465 MHz / 3550-3565 MHz.

The bands that are the subject of the consultation contribute to providing the spectrum resources needed for the efficient development of communications services in the context of mobile internet consumption, but also to the implementation of new generation technologies, known as 5G or IMT-2020.

This new communications technology will connect all intelligent objects that people will use in the future: intelligent cities, self-managed homes, autonomous cars, digital public services for citizens and businesses. For all of this, radio communications, that is, wireless, over-the-air, super-speed, and enormous capacity - for a huge user density.

"I wish that all major Romanian cities in 5 years will enjoy 5G coverage and ANCOM is today the first step towards this new industrial revolution and the digital transformation of the Romanian economy and society. We could once again be among the first countries in the EU to start such an auction, certainly the first in the Eastern region, as in 2012 we were the authors of an East European premiere in the field of spectrum auctions, " said Adrian DIŢĂ, The President of ANCOM, in the context of launching this consultation.

Given the importance of the limited spectrum available spectrum, the impact of the decision to be taken on the future use of these frequency bands and the effects on the Romanian electronic communications market, ANCOM considers it necessary to consult all stakeholders in order to ensure transparency and impartiality in the decision-making process and the predictability of the adopted measures.

The questionnaire published today on the Authority's website seeks to obtain from market actors information on the degree of interest in acquiring the rights and the use of these bands and the timing of the auction. Also, by opening this dialogue with those concerned, the Authority seeks to clarify a number of technical and economic aspects of access to these bands as well as elements that could influence the results such as the design of the selection procedure, the optimal quantities of spectrum that can be awarded by a single operator and some obligations attached to the licenses are auctioned together.

The views and intentions expressed in this consultation will serve to substantiate the decision to be taken to grant the rights to use the frequencies available in these bands.