Time schedule and frequency allocation procedure of the third generation mobile communications systems in Austria

Press release dated 23 May 2000

The Telekom-Control Commission is responsible for the award of licences and frequencies for third generation mobile communications systems in Austria. As already planned last year in the course of the consultation, bids will be invited this summer. The licence award by means of an auction as required by law shall be completed by the end of the year.

Already on 17 April 2000 the Telekom-Control Commission initiated the formal procedure. On 5 May 2000 the Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT), which is responsible for frequency administration, made available the total assignable spectrum of 145 MHz (2x60 MHz from the paired and 25 MHz from the unpaired bands) to the Telekom-Control Commission.

In several meetings the Telekom-Control Commission discussed the basic policy issues, the considerations being decisively influenced by the consultation results as well as by international experience.

Further information on the time schedule

On 22 May 2000 the Telekom-Control Commission specifically determined the following key issues of the UMTS/IMT-2000 frequency allocation: Standards, licence area, licence duration, coverage obligations, infrastructure sharing and national roaming. Details about the number of licences and the amounts of spectrum in a licence as well as the auction process will be decided during the next few weeks.

The detailed bidding conditions are already being prepared in line with the policy decisions and are likely to be adopted on 3 July 2000, i.e. one month earlier than initially expected. Following subsequent approval by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology, as required by law, the invitation to tender might be published either in the first or second week of July.

After expiry of the two-month bidding period the applications received will have to be examined to determine the bidders' basic eligibility pursuant to art. 15 sec. 2 TKG (Telecommunications Act). Subsequently, the actual auction will start in November of this year, according to the current schedule. In the same way as in other countries, it is planned to hold an open, simultaneous multiple round auction.