Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has issued Decision No. 2041/QD-BTTTT approving the plan to hold an auction for licences to use radio frequencies in the 2500MHz-2600MHz band for mobile services.

According to the plan, spectrum licences will be valid for up to 15 years and holders are obliged to launch commercial services within twelve months of receiving their concession and must deploy at least 3,000 5G base stations operating in the 2.6GHz band within two years.

The starting price for spectrum licences is VND3.98 trillion (USD161.7 million). According to the MIC, the auction is scheduled to be held by the end of the year.