The regulatory authority in communications has launched the tender for the implementation of 5G in Romania

By RBJ
The Communications Regulatory Authority (ANCOM) announces that it has launched the radio spectrum tender for electronic communications services of the new generation 5G.
“Today we are launching the auction for granting the rights of use for the radio frequencies intended for the implementation of new technologies. Following Friday’s publication in the Monitorul Oficial of the two decisions, we now have all the conditions met to publish the announcement of the start of the selection procedure… We are waiting for operators from Romania or outside of it, owners of radio spectrum or not, to participate in the tender, the conditions of this selection procedure being as well adapted as possible to the current socio-economic context. The electronic communications market in Romania is mature and one of the most competitive at the level of the European Union, and this is due to the skill and interest of investors, but also to the reduced barriers to suppliers’ access to the market. Increasing the amount of spectrum will lead to new investments on the Romanian market, for the benefit of the entire economy”, said Vlad Stoica, ANCOM president.
To participate in the tender, interested companies must submit an application file to ANCOM and purchase the specifications. The candidacy file must contain documents presenting the candidate’s situation, from which it can be seen, among other things, the fulfillment of obligations towards the state budget, social insurance budgets and special funds, but also the fact that the said candidate meets the conditions for participation: has a turnover for the last year of at least 10 million euros or subscribed and paid-up capital having the equivalent in lei of at least 1,000,000 euros, is not in a state of insolvency or liquidation, its affairs are not administered by a syndic judge, its commercial activities are not suspended, is not part of another candidate’s group, etc.
The application file will also contain the participation guarantee and the initial offer which will indicate the number of blocks that the applicant wishes to purchase in each of the categories of available frequency blocks.
Entities interested in participating in the tender can submit the application file until October 27, 2022. The tender committee will analyze the submitted files and announce, by October 31, 2022, which of the candidates qualify for the next stage. Depending on the initial offers submitted by the qualified candidates, on November 4th it will be announced whether the organization of the auction stage is required, in which case the actual auction can start on November 8th, 2022.
During the auction, 555 MHz will be available in the frequency bands of 700 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz, the winning operators will cover with broadband services at least 70% of the country’s population, most urban areas, highways, international airports and modernized railways, as well as a number of 480 localities identified as not covered or poorly covered by mobile communication services.
During the selection procedure, ANCOM will grant rights of use that will come into force from 2023, respectively 2026 and will have a validity period of 25 years, respectively 22 years. The exception is the rights in the 2600 MHz band, for which the validity period will be 6 years and 3 months, necessary for alignment with the other existing rights in this band.