5G mobile radio frequencies for 380 million Fr. awarded

Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt can take the introduction of the future 5G technology. The 380 million Swiss francs for the frequencies flow into the Federal Treasury, as the eidgenöss informed of the communication Commission (ComCom) and the Federal office for communications (Ofcom) on Friday. The bidding race for the frequencies had started at 220 million Swiss francs for all frequencies.

Swisscom secures the most

Swisscom paid 195,6 million Swiss francs for the collared frequencies. Sunrise spends 89.2 million Swiss francs and Salt 94.5 million. Also, the Dense Air had made a bid, acquired, however, in the end, no frequencies.

In the case of the coveted frequencies of 700 Megahertz and 3.5 to 3.8 GHz was able to secure the Swisscom, the largest frequency bands: 700 MHz, you will receive 30 Megahertz, while the Salt and Sunrise, 20 and 10 Megahertz auctioned. At 3.5 Gigahertz, the Swisscom got hold of 120 Megahertz, Sunrise received 100 Salt 80 Megahertz.

The 700 MHz frequencies are so sought after, because they have a large range. With relatively few antennas, a large area can be covered. The 3.5 to 3.8 GHz frequencies, however, offer much higher speeds. Also much more mobile phones can take advantage of an antenna at the same time.

criticism in the run-up

Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt can use the frequencies for 15 years. In the run-up, there had been a scramble for the frequency distribution. The Telecom providers have criticized the Bietbeschränkungen set by the Comcom.

No operator should empty, explained to the Comcom, at the presentation of the auction rules in the summer. In the case of the 700 MHz frequencies, a provider could bid for a maximum of half of the 3.5 to 3.8 GHz frequencies, there were no more than 40 percent.

Sunrise and the Salt were upset, especially at the generous maximum limit of frequency blocks. Swisscom may bid on so that frequency blocks and unused, not only in order to the competition available. Exactly the opposite has complained to the Swisscom: The Bietbeschränkungen be too narrow. The Swisscom have today is by far the least frequencies per customer. This condition will now cemented: The Swisscom competitors would have the auction at least half of more spectrum per customer than the market leader.

Salt was in a communication very pleased with the outcome of the auction. The reactions of Swisscom and Sunrise.

Federal-opened the race for the 5G frequencies: Interview with Stephan Netzle, President of the ComCom. (Video: SDA-Keystone) (nag/sda)

Created: 08.02.2019, 07:13 PM