The bidding procedure for the allocation of frequencies has been launched

The bidding procedure for individual frequency bands will be carried out in two separate procedures, and the allocation decision is expected by the end of March.
ZAGREB, 16 January 2023 – The  bidding procedure has been launched  for the licensing of RF spectrum for mobile communications networks in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3600 MHz frequency bands in the territory of the Republic of Croatia. During the public auction, the bidding procedure will be carried out in full through the electronic bidding system and bidding for individual frequency bands is divided into two procedures. The first competition, which started today, will cover the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands at the national level and the second will cover the 3600 MHz frequency band at regional level, once the first one is completed.
Simultaneous multi-round auction (SMRA) was selected for the format of both tenders – while the specific location of frequency blocks per tenderer will be determined in an additional bidding round through sealed tenders. Licences will be issued for a period of 15 years, renewable for another 5 years. It is expected that the allocation decision will be made by the end of March, which will also depend on the actual dynamics of the course of each tender.
Let us remind you that frequency bands for mobile communications purposes will be allocated at national level, except for the frequency blocks in the 3400-3480 MHz band, which will be allocated at regional (county) level in order to create business opportunities and smaller, regional operators, and to encourage a variety of services and enable the end-users to choose.

Frequency bands which are the subject to the bidding procedure for national coverage (starting price per 2x5 MHz block):

• 791-821/832-862 MHz (7 mil. €)
• 880-915/925-960 MHz (7 mil €)
• 1710-1785/1805-1880 MHz (2 mil €)
• 1920-1980/2110-2170 MHz (2 mil €)
• 2500-2570/2620-2690 MHz (700.000 €)

The total initial price of all blocks for bidding procedure for national coverage is €154.8 million.
 
3400-3480 MHz frequency band in bidding procedure for regional coverage – area and starting price per 10 MHz block (differentiated by population criterion):

• Bjelovar-Bilogora County 9.500 €,
• Brod-Posavina County 9,500 €,
• Karlovac County 9,500 €,
• Koprivnica-Križevci  County 9,500 €,
• Krapina-Zagorje County 9,500 €,
• Lika-Senj County €1,900,
• Međimurje County €9,500,
• Osijek-Baranja County 9,500 €,
• Požega-Slavonia County 3.800 €,
• Sisak-Moslavina County 9,500 €,
• Varaždin County €9,500,
• Virovitica-Podravina County 3.800 €,
• Vukovar-Srijem County 9,500 €
• City of Zagreb 38,000 €

For the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands, all necessary conditions for participation in the national public auction procedure have been met by:

• A1 Hrvatska d.o.o.
• Hrvatski Telekom d.d.
• Telemach Hrvatska d.o.o.

For the 3600 MHz frequency band, all necessary conditions for participation in the public auction process at regional (county) level were met by:

• Digicom d.o.o.
• Markoja d.o.o.

All information on the public auction procedure has been published and it is available on the following link.