Italy’s communications regulator Agcom has announced the launch of a public consultation into the country’s first 5G spectrum tender due to take place by the end of the year. The watchdog proposed making available spectrum in the 700 MHz, 3.6-3.8 GHz and 26.5-27.5 GHz bands in concessions lasting until 2037 and reiterated the reserve price of EUR 2.5 billion in total proceeds. A total of 30MHz will be offered for 15 and half years in the 700MHz band with a portion of 5 or 10MHz reserved for a “new entrant” (that is, any operator apart from TIM, Vodafone or Wind Tre). According to the recent budget law, the 700MHz frequencies won’t be available throughout Italy until July 2022.

Concessions in the 3.6-3.8 GHz bands will last for 19 years, with 2 blocks of 100MHz or 4 of 50MHz (200MHz in total) made available, while the 19-year concessions in the 26.5-27.5 GHz bands will consist of 5 national 200MHz lots (1GHz in total), proposed Agcom. Interested parties now have 30 days to submit their contributions and comments before the final conditions are set