This content was published on Jul 22, 2021 – 09:57
(AFP)
The Spanish state has raised about 1 billion euros under the process of granting frequencies in the 700 megahertz (MHz) band that will allow the deployment of new 5G mobile technology, after the end of the auction round that began on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Economy announced in a statement issued on Wednesday evening that “the total accumulated amount of all privileges granted amounts to 1010,089,000 euros.”
This figure is slightly higher than the auction start amount set by the state at 995 million euros.
Specialists consider these frequencies “golden” for their characteristics in terms of area coverage and wave penetration into buildings, which allows to provide high-speed and quality mobile Internet in various situations.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the ministry set “a total of 12 rounds with the participation of the three operators who were accepted into the auction.”
The term of the franchise is 20 years minimum and 40 years maximum.
In Spain, the auctions were held in a relaxed atmosphere: the deployment of 5G networks raises almost no debate about their environmental or health impact, unlike what happens in other European countries, such as France or the United Kingdom, where they do antagonize part of public opinion.
Other auctions of directed frequencies for 5G networks have already been held in Spain: in 2018 for the 3.6-3.8 GHz band, and at the beginning of this year for the frequency 20 MHz, or the so-called millimeter range, which should allow the development of certain services that require large capacity.
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