News item | 28-02-2023 | 9:00 am
The extra space to offer national mobile communication, such as 5G, everywhere in the Netherlands will become available from 1 December this year. The cabinet is therefore preparing an auction of the frequencies in this so-called 3.5 gigahertz band. Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate) today published her decision to extend the so-called National Frequency Plan (NFP).
The change follows on the basis of an earlier external and independent advice from a committee to the cabinet about the use of this frequency range. Part of these Dutch frequencies are currently still used by a satellite company for emergency, urgent and safety communication with shipping. The committee previously recommended that the cabinet facilitate the relocation of the specific services in this band to a location in Greece provided by the company itself.
The originally intended frequency range (300 Megahertz) for national mobile communication in the 3.5 GHz band, such as 5G, will become available after an auction from 1 December this year. In this band, 2x 50 Megahertz (of the total 400) will also remain available for local wireless applications in companies, for example. As long as the foreign location is not yet operational (the aim is from 1 January 2024), the satellite company can still have limited space (80 Megahertz) to continue its activities.
Minister Micky Adriaansens (EZK): “Due to digitization, data traffic is increasing sharply and the construction of improved networks such as 5G is essential for consumers and companies. This also requires more radio frequencies, such as in the so-called 3.5 GHz band. The Netherlands not only has an EU obligation to make this frequency band available for national mobile communication as quickly as possible. I also think it is important for the development of our digital infrastructure. That is good for companies, all the people who work there and all Dutch people who use the internet.”