Ljubljana - The national Agency for Communication Networks and Services (AKOS) has published a call for a public auction of 5G frequencies. Those interested have until 1 February to submit their bids, while the auction is expected to take place in March or April.

The call comes after the government approved starting prices for the frequency bands earlier this week. If all frequencies are auctioned off at starting prices, the total price would amount to EUR 70 million.

AKOS said however it could not predict the outcome, because the prices will depend on demand for individual frequency bands.

The call includes radio frequencies of 700 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3600 MHz and 26 GHz, of which 700 MHz, 3600 MHz and 26 GHz have been slated for the launch of 5G networks in Slovenia.

Mobile operators have shown interest in this and Slovenia is obligated to distribute the 5G frequency bands within time frames prescribed by the European Commission, AKOS said.

To prevent monopoly, AKOS has also decided to limit the number of frequencies used by a single operator.