The native regulator mentioned that 110 megahertz of repurposed 5G cellular spectrum was bought over a seven-day public sale
The Hong Kong authorities not too long ago secured HKD2.24 billion ($288 million) from its newest 5G spectrum public sale, Hong Kong’s Workplace of the Communications Authority (OFCA) mentioned in a launch.
China Cell Hong Kong acquired the utmost allocation of fifty megahertz within the 2.3GHz spectrum band for HKD1.07 billion, mentioned OFCA.
Hutchison Telecom adopted intently behind, securing 10 megahertz within the 850MHz band —the utmost permitted — together with a further 20 megahertz within the 2.3GHz band, for a complete of HKD617 million.
In the meantime, HKT acquired 20 megahertz within the 2.3GHz band, paying HKD400 million and SmarTone obtained 10 megahertz within the 850MHz band for HKD151.5 million.
In complete, 110 megahertz of repurposed cellular spectrum was bought over a seven-day public sale, divided into 11 separate blocks. OFCA famous that it’s going to challenge licenses for a interval of 15 years.
“The spectrum public sale implements the 2023 Coverage Deal with initiative to advertise telecommunications growth. Other than utilizing the spectrum for continued provision of 4G cellular communications companies, profitable bidders may also re-farm related spectrum for 5G and future generations of cellular communications services-including 6G, thereby additional enhancing total service high quality and driving innovation, benefitting all residents in Hong Kong,” an OFCA spokesperson mentioned.
Operators have the pliability to both pay the total quantity upfront or go for an annual spectrum utilization charge (SUF), the regulator added. “Every provisional profitable bidder is required to submit a Letter of Credit score by January 13, 2025, in full quantity to ensure fee of the SUF as specified within the desk above. The provisional profitable bidders are additionally required to submit efficiency bonds, the place relevant, to make sure compliance with the community and repair rollout requirement earlier than the precise frequency assignments take impact,” the spokesperson added.
OFCA can also be making ready to carry one other public sale subsequent week, providing a 400 megahertz block of spectrum within the 6GHz to 7GHz vary.
In June, OFCA had introduced the outcomes of the second spherical task of the frequencies within the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands.
The regulator had said {that a} complete of 1,200 megahertz of the spectrum was anticipated to be assigned within the third quarter of this yr to China Cell Hong Kong, HKT, Hutchison Phone Firm and SmarTone.
China Cell Hong Kong, Hutchinson and HKT had launched industrial 5G companies in Hong Kong in April 2020, whereas SmarTone, introduced the launch of business 5G companies within the territory utilizing Ericsson’s Dynamic Spectrum Expertise (DSS) in Might 2020.
Native operators had acquired 200 megahertz of three.5 GHz spectrum in mid-October 2019. These 5G licenses are legitimate for a 15-year interval.
