The Dutch State wants over the coming years to auction the 3.5 GHz band for 5G networks. In a short consultation, the Ministry of Economic Affairs presented provisional plans in a policy proposal.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs published 14 comments from companies and interest groups. As is usual during consultations about the mobile market, operators did not give a public response. The consultation has therefore mainly produced responses from other users, in particular from business customers. These large users want more certainty about applications they can develop independently from mobile operators. Several companies are calling for regulations to make the entire 3.5 GHz band license-free for low-power applications, especially for indoors. Equipment is available for this based on US CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) rules.

The government wants to auction three licenses for mobile operators and make some part available for company-specific networks. The spectrum between 3410 Mhz and 3800 Mhz falls into four different bands, with differences in use. Availability will go from 2022 or 2026.