The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation (Ministerio de Asuntos Economicos y Transformacion Digital) has confirmed that the auction of 26GHz band spectrum suitable for 5G services will commence on 21 December 2022, with four telecoms operators pre-selected to bid. The four companies – Telefonica Espana (Movistar), Vodafone Spain, Orange Espana and Valladolid-based Globe Operator Telecom SI – will bid for the national concessions on offer which each have a reserve of EUR4 million (USD4.24 million). In a press release, the Ministry noted that the tender for 26GHz band frequencies forms a cornerstone of the country’s recovery plan (‘Plan de Recuperacion’) it committed to in H2 2022 to foster the development of 5G technology.

The first round of bidding will begin on 21 December, once the application submission and evaluation period has ended (on 20 December), and will see a total of 2,400MHz, divided200MHz blocks, up for sale. The concessions will be distributed in twelve national concessions in the 25.10GHz-27.50GHz band, along with 38 regional concessions in the 24.70GHz-25.10GHz band (two blocks of 200MHz in each of the autonomous communities and cities). All licences will have a duration of 20 years, extendable for an additional 20-year period.

‘The concessions are in accordance with the technical specifications established by the European Commission, in relation to the harmonisation of the 24.25GHz-27.5GHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services in the Union,’ the Ministry said.