Slovak regulator RU is preparing an auction for the award of 2 x 8.8 MHz frequencies in the band 1800 MHz, which were released after being used in the past for modulation lines for transmission of TV and radio signals from studio to transmitter, reports Telecompaper.com on Oct 20, 2014. The current division of frequencies in the 1800 MHz band looks as follows: Orange Slovakia – 2 × 20 MHz; O2 Slovakia – 2 × 15.8 MHz; Slovak Telekom – 2 × 15.2 MHz; and Swan – 2 × 15 MHz.

During a workshop organized by RU, the operators Orange Slovakia and O2 Slovakia presented their disagreement with the possibility that they might not be able to compete for the frequencies and that the regulator might discriminate against established operators in favor of the new entrant.

If the regulator decides to apply the spectrum cap of 2 x 20 MHz, a requirement based on the current frequency plan, and to assign a block of 2 x 5 MHz, it would put fourth mobile operator Swan at an advantage, after it gained mobile frequencies less than a year ago in the LTE auction. Slovak Telekom would like the auction to remove the disproportions in spectrum assignment across the market, but would like to maintain the spectrum cap of 2 x 20 MHz.