Auctioning proposed for 800 MHz frequencies

Ministry of Transport and Communications
Publication date 3.11.2011 12.13
Press release

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications has sent out for comments a draft Government spectrum-policy resolution proposing that mobile communication frequencies in the 800 MHz band be granted through an auction process.

As per the draft resolution, the auction could be held by the end of 2013. The amount of frequencies in the band totals 2 x 30 MHz, and the purpose is to auction these as six 2 x 5 MHz frequency pairs. One actor could be granted a maximum of four frequency pairs.

Winning enterprises in the spectrum auction would be required to construct their networks within three years of the start of the licence period. One frequency band would be required to cover a higher percentage of the population than the rest, 95 per cent.

Wireless microphones are also used in the 800 band. The draft resolution proposes that the Ministry of Education and Culture be granted a one-off sum of EUR 5.4 million to compensate for expenses incurred to wireless microphone users from switching to alternative frequencies.

The deadline for comments on the draft is 29 November. A public hearing on the resolution will be held on 14 November.

Further information:
Mr Olli-Pekka Rantala, Director of the Communications Market Unit, tel. +358 9 160 28585 or +358 50 344 3400
Ms Kaisa Laitinen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 9 160 28608 or +358 40 772 7643