Dutch telcos obtain 5G licenses at auction

Dutch telcos obtain 5G licenses at auction

Businesses in tech and telecoms are shifting their focus and investment to 5G network deployment as a way of driving economic growth.

The importance of mobile communication based on 5G and future digital innovation spans across industries thus countries are striving to meet the needs for fast, reliable and secure mobile communication.

The Netherlands is a worldwide digital leader and aims to maintain this position by having their telcos, VodafoneZiggo, T-Mobile and KPN, secure spectrum allocations in the first 5G auction held in the country.

“We are very proud that, after intensive preparation, we can activate our 5G network as soon as the official licenses are in place,” said Søren Abildgaard, CEO of T-Mobile Netherlands.

The terms established for the operators included 98% of each municipality, along with minimum speed requirements for businesses and consumers.

Meanwhile, in a statement given by the government, “The country’s three main mobile operators acquired a total of 26 separate licenses, spending €1.23 billion ($1.42 billion) on a variety of spectrum holdings in the 700 MHz, 1,400 MHz and 2100 MHz bands.”

According to the government, the 5G licenses will be valid for 20 years, regulatory measures have been taken to ensure that participating carriers had access to no more than 40% of the available frequencies.

“Mobile communication is an important basis for future digital innovations in care, agriculture, education, manufacturing and mobility. The outcome of this auction will also ensure sufficient competition in our telecoms market until 2040, delivering quality, innovation and reasonable prices for consumers and businesses,” said State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Mona Keijzer.

VodafoneZiggo highlights that “It is now the first to offer 5G nationwide due to an accelerated roll-out of its existing 5G network, allowing all Vodafone customers with a suitable device and a 5G subscription to use the latest 5G technology at no extra cost.”

The Dutch operator had launched 5G services in the country at the end of April via its own GigaNet network, according to its website, and this was immediately available in more than half of the Netherlands. 

Regarding KPN, CEO Joost Farwerck says, “We are satisfied with the outcome of the auction. We obtained an attractive combination of frequency licenses for a 20-year term at a reasonable price, considering the minimum price set by the government. We are excited to soon launch 5G-services for our customers,” KPN CEO Joost Farwerck said.