• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

Chris Dziadul Reports: Hungary’s 5G dispute

April 3, 2020 10.11 Europe/London By Chris Dziadul

The award of 5G licences is proving to be a highly contentious issue in Hungary.

On March 26 the country’s National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) announced that it had organised an auction on that day for the 700, 2100 and 3600 MHz frequency bands. It was, in its words, “a scene of intense competition” and resulted in Magyar Telekom, Telenor Hungary and Vodafone Hungary purchasing usage rights for 15 years for a total of HUF128.5 billion (€360.4 million).

The regulator’s decision drew a quick response from Digi Communications, which claimed to have been excluded from the bidding process. The company put forward a number of points to argue its case and NMHH subsequently addressed them in a Q&A that appeared in the local publication Media1.

In its response, Digi Communications said that NMHH’s decision to finalise the tender in a fast track manner was “controversial and unfair” and also in defiance of the company’s legal action, taken after its participation in the auction was rejected in September 2019.

Digi also said that NMHH’s action was effectively blocking competition and “drastically reducing” the chances for consumers to purchase basic services at competitive prices. Furthermore, it argued that lack of competition as well as high price levels had already put Hungary in last place in the European mobile internet adoption rate.
Digi concluded by saying it was “even more determined to continue the legal procedure” and called on the regulator to cancel the auction decision and resume the process in a fair manner.

For its part, NMHH argued that Digi Communications violated the conditions for participating in the auction by submitting a bid itself rather than through its Hungarian subsidiary. It also denied that Hungary has the most expensive mobile internet in Europe and that the cost of services would be reduced if there was a fourth mobile provider.
NMHH in addition argued that on January 10 a court rejected Digi’s request to have the tender procedure suspended until the end of legal proceedings. Another request by Digi was subsequently rejected by the court on February 7. The regulator then held the auction in an express manner, taking into account the need to do so due to the economic damage being caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Local industry sources have indicated to me that Digi Communications was probably in the right in submitting a bid itself rather through Digi Hungary as the two are separate legal entities. They were also of the view that NMHH’s decision to keep Digi out of the mobile market could be related to upcoming ownership changes at Telenor and cut-price policies Digi could implement should it be a market participant.

Whatever the truth is, this is a dispute that is unlikely to end any time soon.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Chris Dziadul Reports, Columns, Featured Right Edited: 3 April 2020 10:11

About Chris Dziadul

Chris is our Central & East Europe Editor. You can talk to Chris on Twitter @chrisdziadul or by email at cdziadul@broadbandtvnews.com

Latest News

  • ITV secures LaLiga in three season deal
  • Rome Court of Appeal rejects Vimeo petition
  • Major US pay-TV providers drop 1,925,000 subscribers in 2Q 2022
  • KPN signs multi-year HBO Max partnership
  • YouTube channel store to launch this autumn

Watch Video

Amino supporting RDK & Android platforms – ANGA COM Roundup Video

Julian Clover speaks to Amino's Jonny McKee about the company's transition towards standards platforms to support the launch of OTT services. Recorded at ANGA COM in Cologne. … [Watch Now ...]

EKT backing RDK – ANGA COM Roundup Video

Jill Mulder, VP Marketing, EKT discusses how viewing habits and the role of the operator is changing and why EKT now backing RDK, with Broadband TV News editor Julian Clover. … [Watch Now ...]

Columns

Chris Dziadul Reports: Viaplay – a Polish report

12 August 2022 By Chris Dziadul

How well has the streaming service Viaplay performed in its first year in Poland? … [Read More...]

View more columns

Free Ebook

eBook: The Full Guide to IP Monitoring

IP is the future of your facility, if not already your everyday reality. It enables incredible agility and cost savings, but also introduces a new set of challenges. Read The Full Guide to IP Monitoring to learn about the best practices for IP monitoring in live production, playout and OTT and the methods to help you to reduce complexity in these workflows. … [Download the eBook...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2022 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in