HUNGARY ( MEDIA )
Telenor Hungary has won a 10 MHz block in the 800 MHz spectrum, a 2 MHz block in the 900 MHz spectrum and a 20 MHz block in the 2600 MHz at the tender run by the NMHH, the Hungarian National Media and Infocommunications Authority. Telenor Hungary has committed to pay HUF 31.725 billion for the block upfront and pay a spectrum fee of HUF 2.5 bn p.a. In the document submitted to the tender, Telenor Hungary has entered into an obligation to extend 4G coverage to 96% of the population within 5 years. Telenor plans to invest HUF 15-20bn in the next 3 years into 4G network rollout.
“Superfast mobile internet is the engine of economic growth, an enabler for access to better health care and education. Telenor is to extend the benefits of Hipernet to everyone in Hungary and will use the spectrum won at the current tender to create better opportunities for everyone in the countryside and improve the quality of life through faster internet access”, commented Christopher Laska, CEO of Telenor Hungary.
Telenor will complete coverage in Budapest with its superfast Hipernet 4G network within months and focus on further coverage extensions at Balaton and the major cities afterwards. The company made an official commitment to develop 4G coverage intensively in small settlements in 3 years. From now on, Telenor will double the speed of its network rollout so that more customers can enjoy Hipernet in Hungary allowing for download speeds up to 86 and 150 Mbps.
Telenor Hungary wants to thank NMHH and the Government for making available the spectrum necessary for the further development of mobile broadband services through this tender. Nevertheless, Telenor wishes to emphasize that this is the beginning of the journey in many respects as the current frequency fee and telecommunications tax rate still pose a major challenge for the industry. Focusing on the country’s long-term infocommunications and economic needs, Telenor proposes developing a framework for promoting and recognizing investment and expresses its readiness to cooperate with the competent decision-makers in this field.
