5G licences to be awarded in first quarter of 2021

The president of the National Communications Authority (Anacom) said on Thursday he expected the 5G auction to close in January and that licences would be awarded during the first quarter of next year.

João Cadete Matos spoke at the press conference to present the regulations for the auction of the fifth mobile generation (5G), in Lisbon.

The final regulation was scheduled for October.

“We expect the regulation to be published today” in Diário da República, “in view of our objective in October, we can say that we are indeed five days behind schedule”, he added.

João Cadete Matos said he expected that “it will be possible to close the auction procedure in January” and ​​​​”we will be able to award [5G] licences during the first quarter” of next year.

João Cadete Matos also said that once the licences are awarded, they can be used.

He added that the regulator’s final decision on the operator Dense Air will also be known today.