Licences for commercial use of the 700 MHz band to be auctioned
Auction phase 24.11.2016: Auction in progress
The Government invites applications for telecom operating licences for the spectrum 703-733 MHz and 758-788 MHz pursuant to section 7 of the Information Society Code (917/2014). The licences will be granted through an auction process as provided for in section 11 of the Code.
Any enterprise or organisation wishing to participate in the auction shall sign up with FICORA no later than 7 November 2016 as specified in FICORA regulation M64.
700 MHz auction background information
The 700 MHz spectrum (frequency bands 703-733 and 758-788) has been allocated from television broadcasting to wireless broadband use as of 2017. The spectrum can be cost-effectively used for the construction of 4G networks.
In order for the commercial use of the frequencies to start as planned, the licenses must be granted in 2016.
The Government will grant the licenses through an auction process that will start on 24 November. Practical arrangements related to the auction are the responsibility of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority.
Auction documents and links to the relevant web pages of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority are available at the end of this page.
Objectives of the auction
The objective of the auction is to ensure efficient use of spectrum and to improve the availability, quality and capacity of national high-speed wireless broadband connections.
Further information:
Kaisa Laitinen, Senior Adviser, +358 (0)295 34 2608, [email protected]
Sini Wirén, Ministerial Adviser, +358 (0)295 34 2532, [email protected]
Invitation for applications for frequency band allocation
Government Decree on Radio Spectrum Auctions
Memo: Government Decree on Radio Spectrum Auction
Press release 6.10.2016: The Government adopted a decision on the details of the 700 MHz spectrum auction
News article 10.10.2016: Applications invited for 700 MHz spectrum licences
Press release 24.11.2016: Auction for the 700 MHz spectrum starts
The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority: 703–733 MHz/758–788 MHz spectrum auction
The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority: Auction provisions