Poland has awarded licences for 4G-suitable spectrum to two of the six operators that participated in the tender process.
Deutsche Telekom’s Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa, which operates under the T-Mobile brand, and local mobile operator P4 were both…
Poland has awarded licences for 4G-suitable spectrum to two of the six operators that participated in the tender process.
Deutsche Telekom’s Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa, which operates under the T-Mobile brand, and local mobile operator P4 were both awarded 1,800MHz frequencies for high-speed wireless services, the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) announced.
France Telecom-controlled Telekomunikacja Polska, which operates under the Orange brand, Polkomtel, Sferia and EmiTel all missed out.
Polska Telefonia, the nation’s third-largest mobile operator, will pay PLN453.5m (US$144.8m) for two frequency bands, while P4, the fourth-largest operator, will pay PLN498m (US$158.9m) for three bands, the regulator said.
Licences run until 31 December 2027. Licensees must start using awarded frequencies within a year and have at least 1,800 base stations within two years.
Polkomtel is currently the only operator in Poland to offer LTE services, meaning the new licences should boost competition within the sector.
“It won’t take longer than 12 months for new players to emerge on the high-speed internet market,” the regulator said.
Polska Telefonia and P4 have seven days to confirm they will buy the frequencies, the regulator said. Telekomunikacja is first in line to receive 1,800MHz spectrum if either pulls out.
Poland plans to offer spectrum in the 800MHz and 2,600MHz bands later this year.
