A bidding process for frequencies in the RF spectrum has begun in Croatia, with licences likely to be awarded by the end of March.
According to the regulator HAKOM, the first tender, starting January 16, covers the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands at a national level, and the second will cover the 3600 MHz frequency band at the regional level, after the first one is completed. It adds that bidding during the public auction will be conducted entirely through the electronic bidding system.
A simultaneous multi-round auction (SMRA) has been selected for the format of both tenders, while the specific placement of frequency blocks per bidder will be determined in an additional round of tenders through sealed bids. Licences will be issued for a period of 15 years, with five-year extensions possible after they expire.
The total starting price of all bidding blocks for national coverage is €154.8 million.
For the frequency bands 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz, all the necessary conditions for participation in the public auction procedure at the national level have been met by A1 Hrvatska, Hrvatski Telekom and Telemach Hrvatska, while for the 3600 MHz frequency band all the necessary conditions for participation in the public auction procedure at the regional (county) level have been met by Digicom and Markoja.
