Telefónica said it has obtained ten blocks of frequencies for 5G (50 MHz in total) for 107.4 million Euros (USD$125 million) in a recent auction, adding to the 40 MHz which it already has in this band.
Telefónica has acquired 10x5 MHz in the 3600-3800 MHz sub-band, which will support the deployment of a nationwide 5G network from 2020. Telefónica said it has applied rationality criteria at the auction and obtained the desired spectrum paying the lowest price per MHz of all the bidders in the auction.
The new frequencies cement Telefónica’s technological and commercial leadership through its Movistar brand in the Spanish mobile communications market, reinforcing its commitment for the development of mobile broadband, and providing convergent solutions to its customers, supported on networks with the most innovative technologies and the most extensive coverage.
The success achieved by the company in the auction makes it possible to guarantee the commercial launch of the new 5G services from 2020. The concession period of this new spectrum extends to 2038.
In the same auction, Vodafone Spain acquired 90 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the 3700 MHz band for a total cost of €198.1 million (USD$232 million).
