Greek telecoms regulator raises 381.1 million euros in mobile spectrum auction

    October 13 2014

Today’s investment action, totaling 381,114,000 euro, demonstrates the dynamics of the Greek
telecommunications industry, but primarily the trust that three international companies show in the
emerging secure growth path of the Greek economy.

EETT successfully completed the spectrum auction for granting radiofrequency rights of use in
the spectrum areas of 800 and 2600 MHz. In fact, the entire available spectrum in the 800MHz and
2600MHz bands was granted to the country’s three mobile operators, COSMOTE, VODAFONE-PANAFON and
WIND for a period of 15 years, through an open and transparent procedure. The total amount that
EETT secured on behalf of the Greek state reached 381,114,000 euro.  

In total, the following spectrum rights were awarded to the three participating companies:

• COSMOTE: Two (2×5 MHz) segments in the 800 MHz and eight (six 2×5 MHz and two 10 MHz)
segments in the 2600 MHz band, for a total price of 134,788,000 euro.

• VODAFONE-PANAFON: Two (2×5 MHz) segments in the 800 MHz and six (four 2×5 MHz and two 10
MHz) segments in the 2600 MHz band, for a total price of 124,501,000 euro.

• WIND: Two (2×5 MHz) segments in the 800 MHz and four (2×5 MHz) segments in the 2600 MHz
band, for a total price of 121,825,000 euro.

Today’s tender process completes EETT’s work that started in May 2013 concerning the digital
dividend allocation. With efficient utilization of the radio spectrum, a scarce national resource,
as its primary goal, EETT laid the groundwork for the transition from analog TV to terrestrial
digital broadcasting and the allocation of the available spectrum that was released in the 800MHz
band to telecommunication providers for commercial development of mobile communication services. It
is noted that by the end of 2014 the digital switchover must be completed, in accordance with
Greece’s international and European commitments.

The bidding process was designed and implemented by EETT, with its own resources in a
transparent and efficient way. Furthermore, it is in accordance with the current European
regulatory framework and in particular the revised Framework of Licensing Networks and Services
(2002/21 / EC and 2002/20 / EC respectively).

The granting of rights to use radiofrequencies in the 800 and 2600 MHz bands promotes the
development of new wireless technologies of fourth generation (4G) mobile networks that support
innovative communication services of access, content and data transfer. For Greece, the development
of advanced services, both in urban centers and in rural and island areas, will eventually bridge
the “digital divide” with the rest of the world. The real value of this scarce national resource
throughout the duration of the grant lies in the creation of new infrastructure on which new
services will be delivered and transactions between companies and consumers as well as between
citizens and business with the public sector will take place.

Results of
the tender process