Swedish telcos Telia, Hi3G and Net4Mobility secured spectrum in the process

The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) confirmed that local carriers Telia, Hi3G Access (Tre) and Net4Mobility secured new spectrum in an auction to award frequencies in the 900 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands.

Net4Mobility is the joint venture of Swedish mobile operators Tele2 and Telenor.

The auction, which started on September 19, was concluded after three days, PTS said. The regulator noted that the total auction proceeds amounted to SEK 4.23 billion ($378.6 million).

Telia won 2×15 megahertz in the 900 MHz band, 2×20 megahertz in the 2.1 GHz band and 2×30 megahertz in the 2.6 GHz band.

Meanwhile, rival telco Hi3G obtained 2×10 megahertz in the 900 MHz band, 2×20 megahertz in the 2.1 GHz band as well as 2×10 megahertz and 40 megahertz (TDD) in the 2.6 GHz band.

Also, Net4Mobility acquired 2×10 megahertz in the 900 MHz band, 2×20 megahertz in the 2.1 GHz band and 2×30 megahertz in the 2.6 GHz band.

The regulator said it make all final decision on the assignment of licenses within the next few days.

“We see that there is a spread of spectrum holdings, which provides good conditions for robust end consumer competition. We see that the auction has worked well as a tool for distributing frequencies,” said Dan Sjoblom, general director of PTS.

“We are very satisfied with the result of the auction, which means that Telia will have the best spectrum portfolio of all operators in Sweden starting in 2026. The outcome of the auction means that we significantly strengthen our spectrum position and expand our network leadership in the Swedish market through better coverage, higher capacity and thus better digital experiences in Telia’s network”, said Anders Olsson, CEO of Telia Sweden.

PTS had previously said that the purpose of the assignment is to enable continued digitalization and technology development, to contribute to the mobility objective of the Government´s broadband strategy by deploying new masts along roads and railways and in other areas.

PTS had stated that the demand for available frequency range in the 900 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz frequency bands exceeds the supply. The regulator said that it decided to limit the number of licenses to guarantee effective use of the frequency range.

In January 2021, PTS had completed a 5G spectrum auction through which it awarded frequencies to the country’s main operators.

At that time, PTS noted all 320 megahertz at 3.5 GHz was assigned, with Telia securing 120 megahertz for SEK760.2 million ($68.7 million); Net4Mobility (a joint initiative by Tele2 and Telenor’s local units) 100 megahertz for SEK665.5 million; and Hi3G 100 megahertz for SEK491.2 million.

Meanwhile, Teracom Group took all 80 megahertz on offer in the 2.3GHz band for a total of SEK400 million.

The licenses for the 3.5 GHz band are valid for 25 years.