MTS Ukraine, the country’s largest mobile operator, has submitted the highest offers for all three lots of spectrum available in the country’s 3G spectrum auction.
The subsidiary of Russian telco MTS has offered a total UAH8.128bn (US$308m) for the…
MTS Ukraine, the country’s largest mobile operator, has submitted the highest offers for all three lots of spectrum available in the country’s 3G spectrum auction.
The subsidiary of Russian telco MTS has offered a total UAH8.128bn (US$308m) for the three lots: UAH2.708bn for the first, UAH2.715bn for the second and UAH2.705bn for the third, the National Commission for Communication and Information Regulation (NCCIR) announced.
Number two player Kyivstar, a unit of Russia-focused VimpelCom, has offered UAH8.115bn (US$307.5m) in total: UAH2.705bn for lot one, UAH2.71bn for lot two and UAH2.7bn for lot three.
Smallest player Astelit (Life), controlled by Turkey’s Turkcell, has bid a total UAH8.109bn (US$307.3m), offering UAH2.703bn for each of the three lots.
Local media had previously suggested infrastructure operator Ukrtower, also a unit of Turkcell, had applied to take part in the auction, however the regulator did not mention the company in its announcement.
The regulator plans to allocate the frequencies on 23 February. The auction comes as the war in south-east Ukraine continues and pressure on Russia from the West mounts.
Winners of the 15-year licences will be required to extend 3G mobile services to every regional centre within 18 months of receiving them.
The cost of converting the airwaves from military usage has been estimated at UAH1.6bn (US$59.4m) and will be covered by the operators, the regulator said.
The first phase of conversion is expected to take 12 months, the second 18 months and the third 17 months.
Payment for conversion will be proportional to the amount of spectrum acquired.
