Spain postpones 5G spectrum auction due to coronavirus

March 31, 2020 09:42
Spain says it is impossible to stick to a previous deadline for 5G spectrum action in view of the emergency measures imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Reuters

Spain is delaying a planned auction of 5G spectrum as the country grapples with the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reports.

As part of a Europe-wide drive to speed up the roll out of fast Internet and broaden coverage, Spain had been due to free up space in the 700 MHz band of its network by switching from analogue to digital terrestrial television by June 30.

The coronavirus, which had infected 85,915 people and killed 7,340 in Spain as of Monday, constitutes force majeure, making it impossible to stick to that deadline, the government was quoted as saying in a statement on Monday.

Madrid has told Brussels it will set a new deadline for the 700 MHz band depending on the eventual end-date for emergency measures including restrictions on people’s movements, according to the report.

Austria postponed a planned 5G auction last week, and the CEO of French group Iliad said one coming up in France would likely meet the same fate.

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