On April 21, 2021, the Danish Energy Agency published results for the auction of spectrum in the 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands. A total of 3,490 MHz were assigned, raising a total revenue just over two DKK billion. The three winners also took coverage obligations in relation to 2.1 GHz spectrum (defined across 122 areas, with 40 to 41 areas assigned to each of the bidders) and 3.5 GHz spectrum (60% population coverage by end of 2023, and 75% population coverage by end of 2025, applying to all three bidders); in addition, one operator (TT Network) took up a leasing obligation (for private networks) in the 3.5 GHz band.
The resulting assignments are as follows:
- Hi3G (for a total price of DKK 540,525,000):
- 2×20 MHz in the 2100 MHz band (subject to a coverage obligation)
- 120 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band (subject to a coverage obligation)
- 1000 MHz in the 26 GHz band
- TDC Net (for a total price of DKK 794,685,000):
- 45 MHz in the 1500 MHz band
- 2×20 MHz in the 2100 MHz band (subject to a coverage obligation)
- 40 MHz in the 2300 MHz band
- 130 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band (subject to a coverage obligation)
- 1250 MHz in the 26 GHz band
- TT Network (for a total price of DKK 740,976,000):
- 45 MHz in the 1500 MHz band
- 2×20 MHz in the 2100 MHz band (subject to a coverage obligation)
- 140 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band (subject to a coverage obligation and the leasing obligation)
- 600 MHz in the 26 GHz band
The auction had five phases, for the assignment of special coverage obligation lots (phase 1), the specific obligations assigned to lots in the 2100 MHz band (phase 2), the assignment of all remaining spectrum in the 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands (phase 3), the assignment of remaining spectrum in the 26 GHz band (phase 4) and the assignment of specific frequencies in relation to frequency-generic lots assigned in earlier phases (phase 5). The assignment of frequency-generic lots (phases 3 and 4) used a Combinatorial Multi-Round Ascending format, which allows bidders to submit a range of bids for alternative packages in each round, whilst the other phases used sealed-bid processes.
DotEcon assisted the Danish Energy Agency in the design and implementation of the auction, which was run using DotEcon’s WebBidder(TM) auction software.
Further details about the auction can be found on the Danish Energy Agency’s website.