The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (RDI) has announced local spectrum licences in the so-called ‘3.6 GHz band’ are available now for local private 5G networks. It has confirmed that enterprises and institutions can now apply for two 50 megahertz portions of the band, in the 3400-3450 MHz and 3750-3800 MHz frequency ranges. Licences will be active from December 1 (2023); applications have been open for some weeks. Licences are valid for up to17 years, until December 31, 2040.
The Netherlands is the latest in a rush of European countries to liberate prime mid-band spectrum for dedicated enterprise usage. The allocation is broadly in line with the seminal German release of spectrum at 3.7-3.8 GHz band for the same purpose, announced in 2019. It is somewhat higher than the Swiss provision at 3.4-3.5 GHz, announced in September, and lower than the 3.8-4.2 GHz band that has been ring-fenced in the UK – and which the European Union is urging member states to converge around.
Licences will be issued on a first-come first-served basis, said the RDI (Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur) last week. The twin 50MHz tranches are available “out of the total 400 MHz… for local wireless applications of companies and organisations”. Plans for the remaining 300MHz between 3.4 GHz and 3.8 GHz are not explained. It urged “mutual cooperation” where sites and networks cross over in local licence ranges.
It stated: “New applicants have the same rights to frequency use as their neighbours, who may already have a licence… Companies with a permit must take into account the obligation of mutual cooperation.” It said the spectrum is “important… to ensure [enterprise] processes work undisturbed and protected”. It continued: “Companies can, jointly or separately, build their own 5G network,” and listed private 5G spectrum usage for augmented and virtual reality applications, and for control and orchestration of industrial robots and vehicles.
Companies can apply for licences here.
