Spectrum Newsletter – February 2020

This edition of the Spectrum Newsletter for up to February 2020 highlights the spectrum auction activity worldwide in four regions:

• the Americas (Latin America (LATAM) and North America (NA))
• Asia–Pacific (emerging Asia–Pacific (EMAP) and developed Asia–Pacific (DVAP))
• Europe (Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Western Europe (WE))
• the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

Notable events in the period include the following.

• Taiwan. A total of five mobile operators participated in the 3.5GHz and 28GHz auction process for 5G services. The regulator obtained a total of TWD138 billion (USD4.6 billion), a far higher amount than the government's expected USD1.5 billion. Of the five operators, Chunghwa Telecom, paid USD1.5 billion and USD20.5 million for 90MHz and 600MHz in the 3.5GHz and in 28GHz bands, respectively.
• Thailand. In February 2020, Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) held a spectrum auction for the 700MHz, 2600MHz and 26GHz bands and raised THB100 billion (USD3.2 billion). Four mobile operators participated in the process and Advanced Info Service (AIS) obtained the combination of spectrum bands that will enable it to compete more effectively in the market than the other operators involved. It obtained 2×5MHz, 100MHz and 1200MHz in the 700MHz, 2600MHz and 26GHz bands, respectively, but the amount paid was not revealed.
• USA. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) carried out auction round number 103, the third round of millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum auctions, following rounds 101 and 102 in late 2018 and 2019, respectively. The FCC made available a total 3400MHz bandwidth in the 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz bands in the most-recent round and raised USD7.6 billion.