Six companies register for 900 MHz frequency band auction

Hungary’s National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) said six parties registered to participate in an auction for frequency blocks in the 900 MHz band by the deadline on Thursday.
The registrations will be opened in the presence of a notary public on Friday morning, after which the names of the companies who registered will be published on NMHH’s website, the authority said.
Magyar Telekom announced late Thursday that it filed an auction bid for blocks in the frequency band.
The NMHH disclosed plans to conclude the auction process on January 31, 2012, Magyar Telekom said.
The NMHH announced the tender for the frequencies on August 4. A 5MHz "A" frequency block is being offered at a starting price of net HUF 4bn. 1MHz "B" frequency blocks are being offered at a starting price of HUF 700m apiece, and 0.8MHz "C" frequency blocks are being offered at a starting price of HUF 560m.
Bidding will take place in the first phase of the tender. Blocks will be assigned in the second phase.
The winner of the "A" block will also get an option for three 1,800MHz blocks and three 2,100MHz blocks.
If the first round of the tender is closed without result, bids may again be submitted for the "A", "B" and "C" blocks in the second round.
Participants may win no more than a combined 7.8MHz in the band.
At present, the only mobile telecommunications service providers in Hungary are Deutsche Telekom unit Magyar Telekom, and the units of Telenor and Vodafone.
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