News item | 29-11-2023 | 15:08
National provision of 5G technology in the Netherlands is necessary to meet the additional demand from entrepreneurs and consumers for mobile data traffic. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) wants to auction the necessary frequencies for this and, in line with EU obligations, has freed up space within the so-called 3.5 Gigahertz band (GHz). The Rotterdam court today ruled in favor of the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in all eight appeals against these plans. Preparations for an auction in 2024 can now continue – pending any appeal.
Involved companies, organizations and telecom providers have filed appeals against the EZK decisions in this area based on various interests. However, these wishes and preferences vary so much that meeting everyone’s individual preferences is impossible and the minister has had to weigh the interests. The court agrees that these choices and considerations are understandable and well substantiated.
Minister Micky Adriaansens (EZK): “It is good news for entrepreneurs and consumers that we can now continue with our ambitions in the field of digital mobile infrastructure. Because the Netherlands is now the very last EU country that can auction frequencies for 5G and that has frustrated technological progress and digital opportunities for all Dutch people.”
Changes to the National Frequency Plan
Mobile communications (such as 4G and 5G), as well as company-specific applications such as wireless control of container transport or parking meters, all run on allocated frequencies. The classification of this in the Netherlands – according to the so-called National Frequency Plan (NFP) – is determined by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, so that there is sufficient space and parties do not disrupt each other’s use. Is there more (expected) demand for frequencies in the airwaves than availability? Then a decision can be made to auction.
In this case it concerns the available frequencies in the so-called 3.5 Gigahertz band. Local permits had already been granted in this band years ago and a commercial satellite company was already using frequency space for (emergency) communications for seagoing vessels. Earlier this autumn, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy concluded an agreement with this company to move these activities abroad. The existing local permits will be (partly) moved within this band to enable national 5G networks. The ministry has amended the NFP for this purpose.
Dutch companies and consumers will be able to use 5G technology via national mobile communication networks after an auction in the course of 2024. In addition, EZK is also making new local permits available to companies and organizations for wireless, private 5G networks. In the 3.5 GHz band, 2×50 Megahertz (out of a total of 400) will be available for these local wireless applications from December 1 this year.
Dutch industrial estates and within individual companies or organizations will soon have more options for their own digital, wireless infrastructure. This can have added value for companies in terms of autonomy, improvement of coverage or network performance. Companies will soon be able to build their own 5G network, jointly or separately, so that they can use their own frequencies and on their own premises, for example. virtual reality or control smart, complex devices such as self-driving vehicles or robots in factories.