Hungary’s Magyar Telekom and Telenor Hungary are likely to commence talks on redistributing the spectrum they were awarded in the country’s recent auction – the outcome of which is now subject to an appeal.
A Magyar Telekom spokesperson…
Hungary’s Magyar Telekom and Telenor Hungary are likely to commence talks on redistributing the spectrum they were awarded in the country’s recent auction – the outcome of which is now subject to an appeal.
A Magyar Telekom spokesperson confirmed the company intends to meet with Telenor to discuss how best to reallocate the mobile frequency blocks – all in the 900MHz band – to enable both operators to operate at maximum capacity.
She said the talks are likely to begin in April, after the appeal has been decided.
Deutsche Telekom-owned Magyar Telekom, Telenor and the nation’s third mobile operator, Vodafone Hungary, filed the joint appeal against the outcome of the January auction earlier this month.
At the auction, the National Media and Infocommunications Authority awarded spectrum in the less valuable ‘B’ block, best suited for internet services in rural areas, to the three mobile operators. The authority reserved the higher-value ‘A Block’ spectrum to a state consortium comprised of power company MVM, postal services company Magyar Posta and a unit of development bank MFB.
The authority said in a statement the three operators are contesting the consortium’s right to participate in the auction as well as a requirement to provide domestic roaming services to the new entrant to the market.
The authority said it expects to announce the outcome of the appeal before the end of March and that the consortium cannot commence operations before then.
