GSM frequency allocation procedure in October: Six frequency packages to be auctioned off

Two-stage allocation procedure - Total minimum bids: EUR 37.6 million

Press release dated 19 July 2002

In its session on July 12, 2002, the Telekom-Control Commission signalled the start of another frequency allocation procedure for the GSM frequency range in Austria. A total of six frequency packages will be auctioned off, and frequency allocations will remain valid until December 31, 2019. All national and international network operators, especially the existing 2G and 3G licensees in Austria, are invited to submit applications. The allocation of these frequency packages will exhaust the GSM range in Austria, and no further extensions of the GSM spectrum are planned.

Two-stage allocation procedure

The two-month tender submission period begins today, with the announcement of the invitation to tender in the Official Gazette of the Wiener Zeitung. Starting on September 19, 2002, application documents will be reviewed to ascertain whether the prerequisites stipulated under § 15 Par. 2 Nos. 1 and 2 of the Austrian Telecommunications Act (TKG) are fulfilled. The auction will be carried out in an open, ascending, simultaneous, multiple-round format and is scheduled for October 14th.

Total minimum bids: EUR 37.6 million

The minimum bids for these frequency packages have been set at ¤4.0 million to ¤9.6 million, depending on their size (i.e., the number of channels). The sum total of all minimum bids amounts to EUR 37.6 million. The proceeds from the auction will go to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance.

Additional information (including application documents) can be found on the RTR web site.