Next Mobile 5G auction: Telecommunications companies are already investigating complaints

In January 2019, 5G mobile frequencies will be auctioned. (Walter Bieri / Keystone)

On Friday morning, the Federal Communications Commission (Comcom) announced the key data for the upcoming mobile radio auction. The decision was long overdue in the telecommunications industry. The new radio frequencies are at the heart of the introduction of the new 5G mobile communication standard, which is to be introduced in the coming years.

Already in advance, auction restrictions have made speeches. These determine how many frequencies a single company can bid maximum. Here are the opinions between Swisscom and the two smaller competitors Sunrise and Salt

All dissatisfied

In a statement on the announcement of the design of the auction, Swisscom welcomes the principle of frequency distribution . stresses that this will continue to result in fewer frequencies per customer than the competition.

Swisscom's competitors are also dissatisfied with the bidder's restrictions. For them, they are too high.

So, Sunrise talks about a missed opportunity to secure long-term competition. For the number two on the market, the chosen procedure means that the market leader Swisscom is favored. The schedule is still considered narrow, with reference to the framework conditions for radiation limits (NISV).

Salt examines the call

The reaction to salt is finally ironic. The auction format favors Swisscom unilaterally and is a pity for the competition. "We are therefore considering a complaint against this decision before the Federal Administrative Court and are convinced that a judge will pay tribute to these arguments and to others in a measure," Salt wrote in a statement.

Threat of busting the auction scheduled for January? On request, Comcom Chairman Stephan Netzle declares that the auction format itself is not recursive. Only the final decision can be challenged, that is to say the result of the frequency assignment in January. Sunrise said earlier, if necessary, to file a complaint – a possible move that the company has confirmed today.

The auction was supposed to go as planned. However, if Sunrise or Salt decides to appeal, this could delay the introduction of 5G in Switzerland

You can contact the editor Jürg Müller on Twitter LinkedIn and Xing. Follow Facebook.