Spain has released the terms for its latest 5G spectrum auction. The European country has cut starting prices by an average of 15 percent from its initial estimate. It also eased other conditions in an attempt to promote operator investment.
Spain’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation pointed to changes from its original draft related to prices, licence duration and greater detail on coverage obligations. Its auction for licences in the 700MHz frequency band is set to take place in the weeks before 21 July having been delayed by the pandemic. Spain held its first sale of 5G-suitable frequencies in 2018.
The ministry added amendments to its most recent terms followed a peer review and public consultation. Its combined starting price for all seven allocations on offer will be €995.5 million, down from the €1.17 billion it initially planned to set. Each licence will come with a 20 year optional extension in addition to the initial 20 year term, and coverage obligations have been amended.
Nokia and SURF, the organization for IT in Dutch education and research, have successfully reached a single carrier 800Gb/s optical transmission over SURF’s existing cross-border, multi-vendor research and education network infrastructure.
Nokia and Vodafone are collaborating to test the viability of L4S technology over passive optical networks (PON).
The GSMA believes that critical reform of European laws is necessary to position the region as a technology frontrunner by 2030.
