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The European Commission urged the Netherlands and Croatia to develop step-by-step plans to release the 700 MHz frequency band from mobile networks. The deadline for this has already expired in June of this year. In the Netherlands and Croatia, the development of 4G and 5G networks is therefore likely to be delayed. The European Commission has started an infringement procedure.
Member States of the European Union were to submit a detailed road map by the end of June 2018 on how they would make the 700 MHz band with a spectrum between 694 and 790 MHz, for use by mobile networks. Low frequencies are ideal for providing larger areas with 4G or 5G coverage.
700 MHz important for 5G
The 700 MHz band should play an important role in future 5G networks. In addition to the 700 MHz band, the 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz bands are also central to the development of 5G networks. These higher frequency bands do not allow for the deployment of a 5G network nationwide. In higher frequency bands, the coverage of an antenna transmitting at the same power is greatly reduced. The European Commission indicates that the 700 MHz band will be available to telecom operators by 30 June 2020 so that 5G networks can be deployed from that point on. Since 5G is a top priority, the Commission reports once more
3.5 GHz already problematic in the Netherlands
In addition to the 700 MHz band, the use of the band of 3, 5 GHz in the Netherlands is also under study. Due to the satellite monitoring station located in the Frisian region of Burum, the 3.5 GHz band can not be used over the Amsterdam-Enschede line, which considerably limits the telecommunications sector in the Netherlands. Low regarding the possibilities of development and deployment of 5G networks.
Two months of respite
The Netherlands and Croatia still have two months to submit their plans for the release of the 700 MHz band. Originally, the 700 MHz band was expected to be auctioned in 2019 with the 1.4 GHz and 2.1 GHz bands. This date is probably not respected due to the proposed acquisition of Tele2 by T-Mobile. The structure of the auction depends on the approval or rejection of this takeover by the European Commission.
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