On January 17, 2024, the Minister of Information and Communications approved the decision on the plan to organize the auction of radio frequency usage rights for the 2500-2600 MHz band and the 3700-3900 MHz band for 5G.

oil price 789.jpg
There are three 5G spectrum blocks up for auction, each 100 MHz wide. Each company is only allowed to win a maximum of one spectrum block.
Accordingly, the auction plan includes the main contents on the conditions for using the frequency band, the license term, the requirement for commitment to deploy the telecommunications network, the starting price, the price step and the deposit. There are 3 frequency bands put up for auction, each block has a width of 100 MHz. Each enterprise is only allowed to win a maximum of 1 frequency band. Thus, there will be 3 enterprises that can have the frequency band through auction to deploy 5G. The starting price is determined according to the provisions of Decree 63/2023/ND-CP for the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band for 15 years of use: VND 3,983,257,500,000 (Three thousand nine hundred eighty-three billion, two hundred fifty-seven million, five hundred thousand VND). In particular, the enterprise that wins the auction for the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band can use it to deploy additional 4G. The starting price of the 3700 MHz to 3800 MHz band for 15 years of use is VND 1,956,892,500,000 (One thousand nine hundred and fifty-six billion, eight hundred and ninety-two million, five hundred thousand VND). The starting price of the 3800 MHz to 3900 MHz band for 15 years of use is VND 1,956,892,500,000 (One thousand nine hundred and fifty-six billion, eight hundred and ninety-two million, five hundred thousand VND). The 2500-2600 MHz band will be auctioned first, followed by the 3800 MHz to 3900 MHz band and finally the 3700 MHz to 3800 MHz band. Within 30 days from the date the Ministry of Information and Communications publicly announces the auction plan, the enterprise must submit a set of documents requesting confirmation of meeting the conditions for participating in the auction to the Department of Telecommunications through one of the following methods: Through the online public service system or by post or in person. Documents submitted after the above deadline will not be accepted and processed. Within 15 days from the date of receiving the list of winning bidders from the asset auction organization, the Minister of Information and Communications shall issue a decision approving the auction results to the winning bidder. The decision approving the auction results shall include the following information: Winning bidder, winning frequency block, permitted duration of use, auction winning amount, method of payment for the right to use radio frequencies and the responsibility of the winning bidder in fully and timely paying the right to use radio frequencies to be granted a telecommunications service business license and a frequency band license. At the end of the auction, the Ministry of Information and Communications shall publicly announce information about the auction on the Ministry's Electronic Information Portal. Within 3 months from the date the Ministry of Information and Communications approves the auction results, the winning bidder must pay at least 50% of the fee for the right to use radio frequencies at one time. Within 30 months from the date the Ministry of Information and Communications approves the auction results, the winning bidder must pay at least 50% of the remaining fee for the right to use radio frequencies at one time, plus interest calculated according to regulations. Within 60 months from the date the Ministry of Information and Communications approves the auction results, the winning bidder must pay at one time the entire remaining fee for the right to use radio frequencies, plus interest calculated according to regulations. After 2 years from the date of being licensed to use the 2500-2600 MHz band, the enterprise commits to deploying at least 3,000 5G broadcasting stations using the 2500-2600 MHz band. The enterprise must commit to officially providing terrestrial mobile telecommunications services using the 2500-2600 MHz band no later than 12 months from the date of being licensed to use this band. At the time of officially providing terrestrial mobile telecommunications services using the 2500-2600 MHz band, the enterprise must deploy at least 30% of the number of radio broadcasting stations committed to deploy in the first 2 years from the date of being licensed to use the 2500-2600 MHz band. After 2 years from the date of being licensed to use the 3700-3800 MHz band or the 3800-3900 MHz band, the enterprise must commit to deploying at least 3,000 5G broadcasting stations using the corresponding auctioned frequency band. The enterprise must commit to officially providing terrestrial mobile telecommunications services using the 3700-3800 MHz band or the 3800-3900 MHz band no later than 12 months from the date of being licensed to use the corresponding auctioned frequency band. At the time of officially providing terrestrial mobile telecommunications services using the 3700-3800 MHz band or the 3800-3900 MHz band, the enterprise must deploy at least 30% of the number of radio broadcasting stations committed to deploying within the first 02 years from the date of being licensed to use the corresponding auctioned frequency band.