Digi Mobil. Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, the other day, established the conditions under which they will be able to license the frequency bands for the 5G networks that each intends to launch in Romania telecommunications operator. I already told you yesterday that frequency bands between 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2600 MHz, 3400-3800 MHz will be available for licensing from ANCOM, and Digi Mobil, and the other operators, will have to pay 1 billion euros to be able to use them.
Digi Mobil. ANCOM established that the auction will take place until October 31, 2019, the frequency bands will be handed over to the operators on December 15, and they will be able to be used only starting from January 1, 2020. Theoretically, the first 5G networks should be launched only in 2020 by Digi Mobil, and the rest of the companies, but at the moment they all have active licenses for the 2600 MHz frequency band, which they are sure to test the equipment they will use.
Digi Mobile. Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, could launch 5G networks earlier
Digi Mobil. Theoretically, operators could launch 5G networks even earlier if they are really allowed to use these frequencies in Romania, but nothing will be available until the second half of 2019. Those from Orange announced that they will launch in Romania's first 5G network in 2019, and it is possible that it will be on the 2600 MHz band even before the auctions are completed, but for Digi Mobil, or other operators, for now we do not have any official information.
Digi Mobil. The first operator to launch the 5G network in Romania will have a major advantage in terms of attention, and this is because everyone will focus on it, and will want to know how well the network works. The others that will follow will not receive as much attention at the national level, so if Digi Mobil and Orange's competitors do not move quickly, they will lose the "wave" of attention associated with this technology.
Digi Mobil. Having said that, we can hope that at least one 5G network will be launched in Romania in 2019, but it remains to be seen what the operators' plans are, and what they will decide to do.
