Saturday, August 06, 2011

Belgium - Finally, a fourth mobile operator has been licensed to a j/v of the cable operators

[cellular-news] Belgium's telecom regulator, BIPT has formally awarded a previously announced 3G license to Telenet Tecteo Bidco. The conditions of the licence were accepted by the licensee on 29 July.

BIPT had previously received an offer from the candidate for the total spectrum available (1950.1-1964.9 MHz /2140.1-2154.9 MHz) amounting to EUR 616,656.8/month. Telenet Tecteo Bidco opted for paying the amount bid in annual instalments over the total period from July 2011 to March 2021.

In the meantime the payment was made for 2011 and Telenet Tecteo Bidco has accepted the conditions of the licence.

As a result the three operators who already acquired a 3G licence in 2001 (Belgacom, Mobistar and KPN Group Belgium) are now joined by Telenet Tecteo Bidco. The latter is now under the obligation to start offering its services no later than 18 months from the date when the licence was granted, i.e. 15 July 2011.

Although the information still needs to be confirmed officially Telenet Tecteo Bidco has already announced its wish to make use of the possibility to acquire the reserved spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, with a view to putting these to use for the first time on 27 November 2015.

In the autumn, licences will also be auctioned in the 2.6 GHz band (4G licences). The invitation to submit applications was published on 1 June 2011 and sets 14 October 2011 as the deadline for candidates to apply.

Belgium Grants Fourth 3G Licence to Telenet Tecteo Bidco

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