The sale raised 100.23 million EUR
On November 23, Slovakian regulator RÚ announced it sold 700MHz spectrum and additional frequencies in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands.
The sale raised 100.23 million EUR. Orange won 2×10MHz in the 700MHz range and paid 33.63 million EUR. O2 got 2×10MHz at 700MHz, 2×4.2MHz at 900MHz and 2×3MHz in the 1800MHz range for 33.39 million EUR. Slovak Telekom acquired a 2×10MHz licence in the 700MHz band and 2×3MHz at 1800MHz, spending 32.66 million EUR.
Notably, the smaller player 4ka (SWAN Mobile) did not bid for a 700MHz licence. Instead, the operator acquired 2×3MHz in the 1800MHz range for 550,000 EUR.
The 20-year 700 MHz licenses will be granted with strict coverage obligations. 95% of the population of every county town should be covered by year-end 2025, 90% of the population outside county towns should enjoy 5G services by 2027 and 70% of inhabitants should have 5G by year-end 2027.
RÚ completed the assignment of the 3.5 GHz frequency band (3.4-3.6 GHz) in 2016. National frequency licences were auctioned electronically to three operators, O2 Slovakia, SWAN and Slovanet. In July 2020, Orange Slovensko completed its acquisition of a 5G-capable 3.5GHz licence from rival operator SWAN. In mid-2019, Orange acquired 2×20MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz range from another licensee, Slovanet. These licences are valid until end-August 2025.
