Hungarian Government green-lights mobile frequency auction
The decree allows UMTS, LTE and WiMAX services to be used in the 900 MHz and 1800 Mhz frequencies, and enables the launch of Civil TETRA
According to the Hungarian daily Napi Gazdaság, Hungary's government has adopted a decree to allow the selling of unused frequencies to a new mobile service provider not already active in Hungary.
The decree allows UMTS, LTE and WiMAX services to be used in the 900 MHz and 1800 Mhz frequencies, and enables the launch of Civil TETRA, a dispatch system that can be used locally, regionally or nationally for internal company communications..
The move paves the way for a fourth mobile carrier in Hungary, in addition to Germany's T-Mobile, England's Vodafone and Norway's Telenor.
Earlier attempts to sell a mobile frequency came to naught despite keen interest from investors.
Most recently, east Hungarian regional telecom company Btel expressed interest in bidding for a frequency.
The National Development Ministry said it plans to hold an auction in the second half of this year to find a buyer.
If no bids come in for the 900 MHz frequency, or the offers are unsatisfactory, the block could be distributed among the three existing mobile service providers, the ministry said.
Source: www.bbj.hu
