Spectrum - C-Band Spectrum Auctions – January 2020

C-Band Spectrum auctions/allocation trends

Prepared by GSA based on data from the GSA 5G Spectrum Auction Tracker.

Since 2015 GSA has identified 23 countries that have auctioned or allocated C-Band spectrum for mobile broadband.

Auctions and allocations of C-Band spectrum (3300–4200 MHz) have come thick and fast over the last couple of years, as regulators have sought to open up access to what has become – initially at least – the most important spectrum band for 5G.

C-Band spectrum has historically been made available around the world for fixed wireless services using legacy technologies, or has been allocated for satellite or government/military use. In a few countries, portions of the C-band have been made available for LTE.

With the advent of 5G, however, access to C-Band spectrum is being opened up to support mobile broadband services, often specifically including 5G.

GSA has been tracking the allocation and auction of C-Band spectrum in its regular report 5G Spectrum for Terrestrial Networks: Licensing Developments Worldwide. Since 2015 it has identified 23 countries that have auctioned or allocated C-Band with the intention of opening up the frequency range for mobile broadband and 5G usage.

Countries that have auctioned/allocated C-Band spectrum since 2015

The amount operators are prepared to spend will depend on the degree of competition, the amount of suitable spectrum they already hold, on the length of time the licence is valid, on the extent of the coverage/performance requirements that are attached to the licence, and on the economic value (the amount of money spent by) each mobile customer in the country concerned. The report shows where data is available, the prices paid for C-Band spectrum in 5G-relevant auctions since 2015.

The fees paid range from USD$0.002 per MHz per Pop (per person)  (Slovakia, Norway and Romania) to USD$0.424 per MHz per Pop in Italy. The upcoming French allocation of C-Band will sit right in the middle of this range. France has approved an unusual procedure for allocation of C-Band licences to use spectrum in the 3410–3800 MHz range. In an initial allocation procedure, four 50 MHz blocks will be available at a fixed price of €350 million per block ($0.117/MHz/Pop). This will put it between UK and Hong Kong in terms of spectrum licensing costs. Subsequently additional 10 MHz blocks will then be made available by auction at a reserve price of €70 million for 10 MHz blocks.

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