The Electronic Communications Office (UKE) has annulled the auction for the reservation of 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz frequencies (that may be used for broadband data transmission in mobile networks, e.g. as LTE services). The deadline for preliminary offers was Feb 14, prolonged from the originally set Feb 13.
UKE's president Magdalena Gaj cited technical issues as the main reason - for several hours, there was no access to technical documentation concerning the auction proceedings. However, local media point out that two of the four major mobile telephony operators (Polkomtel - Plus network and P4 - Play network) demanded annulling the auction (they complained about unequal treatment in the rules of the auction).
Gaj also said that the entire procedure will start anew - in the next few days, she plans to start consultations on the schedule.
The winners were expected to be obliged to start offering services on the basis of the 800 MHz frequencies no later than 12 months after being granted a respective reservation and no later than 36 months after receiving a reservation for the 2.6 GHz frequencies.
UKE explained earlier that the 800 MHz band, due to its propagation characteristics, is perceived as one of the best bands to ensure optimal availability of wireless broadband services over large areas with low population density, such as rural areas. The 2600 MHz band, on the other hand, is most appropriate to ensure adequate network capacity in areas of high population density where there is a need to handle large numbers of users and/or to provide high data rate.