RATEL launches auction for 5G frequencies

The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL) has adopted the Decision to launch a public tender procedure for the issuance of up to three individual licenses for the use of the 5G network.

As stated on the RATEL website, in the Decision adopted electronically, without convening or holding a session, by the Council of that body on June 2, 2025, the issued individual licenses are valid until March 5, 2047, without the possibility of extension.

The Law on Electronic Communications stipulates that RATEL shall adopt a decision to launch a public tender procedure for the issuance of individual licenses within 15 days from the date of entry into force of the act of the relevant ministry prescribing the minimum requirements for the issuance of individual licenses based on the conducted public tender procedure and shall establish a commission for the implementation of the public tender procedure, RATEL announced.

The Rulebook regulating the minimum requirements for issuing 5G licenses entered into force on May 24, 2025, and on June 2, RATEL adopted a Decision on initiating a public tender procedure for issuing a maximum of three individual licenses for the use of radio frequency spectrum in the radio frequency bands 694-790 MHz, 880-915/925-960 MHz, 1710-1785/1805-1880 MHz, 1920-1980/2110-2170 MHz, 2500-2690 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz for the provision of public electronic communications services for the GSM and IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) systems.

It is added that the minimum amount of the fee for the right of use paid for the issuance of an individual license is 19,520,000 euros for the minimum package in the radio frequency band 694-790 MHz, then 15,910,000 euros for the minimum package in the radio frequency band 885-915/930-960 MHz, 13,700,000 euros for the minimum package in the radio frequency band 1710-1785/1805-1880 MHz, 7,170,000 euros for the minimum package in the radio frequency band 1920-1980 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz, as well as 8,200,000 euros for the minimum package in the radio frequency band 2500-2690 MHz and 35,500,000 euros for the minimum package in radio frequency band 3400-3800 MHz.

The Decision also states that the amount of the fee for the right of use paid for the issuance of an individual license determined in the public bidding procedure is paid in two equal installments in dinar equivalent at the middle exchange rate of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) on the date of payment.

The first installment is paid no later than until the takeover of the individual license, and the amount of the second installment is paid no later than June 30, 2026.

RATEL Beograd

Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services

RATEL

Law on Electronic Communications

5G network

auction for 5G network