The government of Australia also announced plans to offer 5G spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band
Italy’s telecommunications services regulator Agcom announced the launch of a public consultation process for the country’s first 5G spectrum tender, which is expected to take place by the end of 2018, Italian press reported. The Italian regulator proposed making available spectrum in the 700 MHz, 3.6-3.8 GHz and 26.5-27.5 GHz bands.
Agcom proposed that the 5G concessions will last until 2037 and reiterated the reserve price of 2.5 billion euros (USD 3.075 billion) in total proceeds.
The regulator also said a total of 30 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band will be offered for 15 years with a portion of 5 or 10 megahertz reserved for a new entrant. Current mobile operators in the country includes TIM, Vodafone and Wind Tre.
TIM and Vodafone are currently engaged in trials of 5G technology. TIM is carrying out 5G trials in partnership with Chinese vendor Huawei in the cities of Matera and Bari. Last month, Huawei announced the completion of the first 5G trial in the city of Turin, in partnership with TIM and Fastweb.
In December last year, Vodafone Italy launched its project to test 5G technologies via the 3.6-3.8 GHz band in the city of Milan. Vodafone Italy’s CEO Aldo Bisio said Vodafone will be working with a total of 28 partners on the project, which is budgeted at 90 million euros.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s National Communications Authority (Anacom) has launched a public consultation process to explore the interest of manufacturers, mobile operators and other parties in the industry including public agencies, in the future launch of 5G mobile services.
In addition to the 700 MHz band, the Portuguese regulator wants to know of interest for the allocation of spectrum in the 450 MHz, 900 MHz, 1500 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 3.6 GHz and 26 GHz bands. As regards to the 450 MHz band, this consultation also includes an application for the allocation of spectrum for private use, the watchdog said.
The Portuguese watchdog said that the public consultation process will end on 19 April.
In related news, the Australian government announced plans to kick off an auction process for 5G spectrum, paving the way for new 5G services in metropolitan and regional Australia.
According to the federal government, a total of 125 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band will be offered through the auction process.
“I have carefully considered the implications for regional Australians in making this decision, and the declaration provides protections for incumbent users in the band while ensuring Australia is well-positioned to take advantage of 5G technology in years to come,” Australian minister for communications, Mitch Fifield said.
In October 2017, the government had developed a paper outlining a 5G policy for the country, including the establishment of a working group to drive the deployment of 5G mobile technology in Australia.
At that time, the government highlighted that it will support 5G deployments by making spectrum available in a timely manner, actively engaging in international standardization processes and streamlining planning arrangements to allow mobile operators to deploy infrastructure more quickly and at lower cost.
Mobile operators in Australia are Vodafone, Telstra and Optus.
