The National Auction Corporation No. 5 has recently issued notices and auction regulations for the use of radio frequency rights for 3 frequency bands: B1 (2500-2600 MHz), C2 (3700-3800 MHz), and C3 (3800-3900 MHz).
The auction and registration period for bidding will begin on February 23, 2024. The winning bidders will be granted licenses to use the frequency bands for 15 years.
Specifically, the B1 frequency band (2500-2600 MHz) will be auctioned off at 2:00 PM on March 8, 2024. The starting price for the first round of bidding is 3,983,257,500,000 billion dong. The starting price for the next round of bidding will be the highest bid from the previous adjacent round. The bidding increment for the B1 frequency band auction is 50 billion dong.
The auction and registration period for bidding will be from February 23, 2024 to 5:00 PM on March 5, 2024. According to the announcement, the participation deposit for the auction is 200 billion dong.
The B1 frequency band is planned for the deployment of mobile information systems based on the IMT-Advanced standard and subsequent versions, using time division duplex (TDD) method as regulated in Circular 18/2020 of the Ministry of Information and Communications regarding the frequency planning in 2300-2400 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz bands for Vietnam’s IMT mobile information system.
As for the C3 frequency band (3800-3900 MHz), it will be auctioned off at 2:00 PM on March 14, 2024. The starting price for the next round of bidding will be the highest bid from the previous adjacent round. The bidding increment for the C2 frequency band auction is 25 billion dong.
The auction and registration period for bidding will be from February 23, 2024 to 5:00 PM on March 11, 2024. According to the announcement, the participation deposit for the auction is 100 billion dong.
Regarding the C2 frequency band (3700-3800 MHz), it will be auctioned off at 2:00 PM on March 19, 2024. The starting price for the first round of bidding is 1,956,892,500,000 billion dong. The starting price for the next round of bidding will be the highest bid from the previous adjacent round. The bidding increment for the C2 frequency band auction is 25 billion dong.
The auction and registration period for bidding will be from February 23, 2024 to 5:00 PM on March 15, 2024. According to the announcement, the participation deposit for the auction is 100 billion dong.
Both the C2 and C3 frequency bands are planned for the deployment of mobile information systems based on the IMT-2020 standard and subsequent versions, using time division duplex (TDD) method as regulated in Circular 13/2023 of the Ministry of Information and Communications regarding the frequency planning in 3560-4000 MHz band for Vietnam’s IMT mobile information system.
Prior to this, at the end of January 2024, the Minister of Information and Communications approved the decision on the organization of auctions for the use of radio frequency rights for the 2500-2600 MHz and 3700-3900 MHz bands.
Accordingly, there are 3 frequency bands up for auction, each with a width of 100 MHz. Each enterprise is only allowed to win a maximum of 1 frequency band. Therefore, there will be 3 enterprises that can have frequency bands through the auction for the deployment of 5G.
Within 30 days from the date the Ministry of Information and Communications publicly announces the auction organizing plan, enterprises must submit a set of documents requesting confirmation of eligibility to participate in the auction to the Department of Telecommunications via one of the following methods: through the online public service system, by post, or by direct submission. Late submissions will not be accepted or processed.
Within 15 days from the date of receiving the list of winning bidders from the auction organization, the Minister of Information and Communications will approve the decision on the auction results and send it to the winning bidders. After the auction, the Ministry will publicly announce the auction information on its official website.
Within 3 months from the date the Ministry of Information and Communications approves the auction results, the winning bidders must make an initial payment of at least 50% of the granted radio frequency usage fees.
Within 30 months from the date the Ministry approves the auction results, the winning bidders must make a subsequent payment of at least 50% of the remaining radio frequency usage fees, plus the interest as stipulated.
Within 60 months from the date the Ministry approves the auction results, the winning bidders must make a final payment of the remaining radio frequency usage fees, plus the interest as stipulated.
After 2 years from the date of being granted the license to use the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band, the enterprise must deploy a minimum of 3,000 5G base stations using the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band. The enterprise must officially provide mobile telecommunications services on the ground using the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band no later than 12 months from the date of being granted the license to use this frequency band.
At the time of providing mobile telecommunications services on the ground using the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band, the enterprise must deploy a minimum of 30% of the committed number of wireless base stations within the first 2 years from the date of being granted the license to use the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band.
After 2 years from the date of being granted the license to use the 3700-3800 MHz or 3800-3900 MHz frequency band, the enterprise must deploy a minimum of 3,000 5G base stations using the corresponding auctioned frequency band. The enterprise must officially provide mobile telecommunications services on the ground using the 3700-3800 MHz or 3800-3900 MHz frequency band no later than 12 months from the date of being granted the license to use the corresponding auctioned frequency band.
At the time of providing mobile telecommunications services on the ground using the 3700-3800 MHz or 3800-3900 MHz frequency band, the enterprise must deploy a minimum of 30% of the committed number of wireless base stations within the first 2 years from the date of being granted the license to use the corresponding auctioned frequency band.
