Swiss to auction 800 MHz band for mobile

The Swiss federal communications commission ComCom has launched the public tender for mobile frequencies in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz ranges. Some frequencies are directly available for use and some are part of the existing GSM and UMTS licences of Swiss mobile operators Swisscom, Sunrise, Orange Switzerland and In&Phone and will become free on 31 December 2013 and 31 December 2016, respectively. The frequencies will be auctioned and interested parties have until 18 March 2011 to apply for the auction that will take place during the first half of 2011.
Of interest to DTT users is the auction of the 6 blocks (2×5 MHz) of the 800 MHz band which are likely to be the top 60MHz of UHF TV Band VI released by the switch to DTT. These become available from the 1st January 2013. The minimum offer for the uses of a single block until the 31st December 2028 is set at CHF 21.3 million.
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 29th November 2010