Telia Finland has secured 130 MHz (3410-3540 MHz) frequencies of band A in the 3.5 GHz band for EUR 30.3 million in the recent license auction by the Finnish telecoms regulator, Ficora.
The new frequencies will enable the start of commercial 5G operations from the beginning of 2019. Telia opened the 5G era in Helsinki on September 5, 2018, by launching a pre-commercial 5G network in the Helsinki city center on test frequencies issued by Ficora.
The growth of the 5G market is dependent on the availability of standard-compliant 5G devices like modems, tablets and mobile phones by terminal manufacturers. The 5G development is expected to accelerate further with the introduction of frequencies in the 26 GHz band.
Telia's competitor Elisa won band B from 3540-3670 MHz for EUR 26.35 million while DNA won band C from 3670-3800 MHz for EUR 21.00 million. The licenses granted for the 3.5 GHz band are valid for 15 years starting from January 1st, 2019.
