\tHong Kong’s government raised HKD6 billion ($767 million) from the sale of 120MHz of spectrum in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands, with market leader HKT the top spender, picking up 20MHz in each band.<\/p>\n
The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) said the territory\u2019s four operators acquired a total 50MHz of spectrum in the 900MHz band and 70MHz in the 1800MHz band.<\/p>\n
HKT spent HKD2.22 billion for 40MHz in the two bands; China Mobile Hong Kong acquired 30MHz for HKD1.48 billion; SmarTone also picked up 30MHz in both bands for HKD1.34 billion; and 3 Hong Kong purchased 20MHz for HKD960 million.<\/p>\n
The new licences have 15-year terms which start after the expiry of the existing assignments between November 2020 and September 2021.<\/p>\n
Payment guarantee
\nOFCA said in a statement each winner is required to submit a letter of credit by 20 March 2019 to guarantee payment of the spectrum utilisation fee before the actual re-assignment of the spectrum takes effect.<\/p>\n
In September the regulator reassigned 80MHz of 1800MHz spectrum, with each of the four mobile operators receiving a 20MHz block.<\/p>\n
“Some of the spectrum in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands will change hands in the new assignment term. The incumbent spectrum assignees will have a transitional period of about two years to reconfigure their existing networks and\/or roll out additional network infrastructure. OFCA will coordinate with them to ensure a smooth changeover during the run up to the commencement of the new assignment term,” an OFCA representative said.<\/p>\n
Last week the Communications Authority announced it will assign the first batch of 5G spectrum [1] in the 26GHz and 28GHz bands for use across the territory by Q2 and also plans to auction off 380MHz of 3.3GHz, 3.5GHz and 4.9GHz spectrum in mid-2019.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/asia-home-banner\/hong-kong-to-assign-5g-spectrum-by-april\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hong Kong’s government raised HKD6 billion ($767 million) from the sale of 120MHz of spectrum …<\/p>\n
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