Spain will delay its auction of 5G spectrum due to the coronavirus outbreak, the government said on Monday.
Spain was planning to free up space in the 700 MHz band of its network by switching from analogue to digital terrestrial television by June 30.
Madrid has told Brussels it will set a new deadline for the 700 MHz band depending on the eventual end-date for emergency measures including restrictions on people’s movements.
Spain, according to a Reuters report on July 25, 2018, awarded 5G frequencies to Telefonica, Vodafone and Orange at an auction. Telefonica invested 107 million euros to get 50 MHZ in spectrum, Orange paid 132 million euros for 60 MHZ and Vodafone paid 198 million euros for 90 MHZ.
France is also likely to delay its 5G spectrum auction until at least March 2020, three months later than originally scheduled. The CEO of French group Iliad said one coming up in France would likely meet delay.
France’s last spectrum auction in 2015 raised 2.8 billion euros for state coffers.
Germany and Italy have raised about 6.5 billion euros ($7.2 billion) each through 5G spectrum auctions.
Austria had postponed a planned 5G auction last week.
