Switzerland Starts Preparing for Radio Spectrum Auctions in 2013

­Switzerland's Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has instructed the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) to prepare the allocation of mobile radio frequencies which are either currently free or which will become free in the foreseeable future.

ComCom is expected to launch the public invitation to tender for these frequencies in the course of the next year. The allocation of frequencies will take place by auction.

ComCom has instructed OFCOM to begin the preparatory work for the public invitation to tender for mobile radio frequencies which are either currently free or which will become free in the foreseeable future. The invitation to tender is taking place with particular reference to the current GSM and UMTS licences which expire on 31 December 2013 and 2016 respectively. In addition, other frequencies from various mobile radio bands will be available for the provision of mobile radio services. It is intended that an early allocation of these frequencies will offer players in the market a long-term perspective for planning.

The proposed procedure is intended on the one hand to enable any new operators to acquire mobile radio frequencies. On the other hand, existing operators will have the possibility of equipping themselves with sufficient frequencies for the future.

OFCOM will now prepare the tender documentation and the design of the auction for the attention of ComCom. On this basis, ComCom will decide on the next steps and is expected to launch the invitation to tender for the mobile radio frequencies in the course of 2010. The invitation to tender will be open to all interested companies.

Posted to the site on 9th November 2009