IPKO, Telecom Kosovo awarded 5G licences

IPKO and Telecom Kosovo have been awarded 5G-suitable frequencies by the Regulatory Authority for Post and Electronic Communications (Autoriteti Rregullator i Komunikimeve Elektronike dhe Postare, ARKEP). In a decision published on 15 February, the watchdog noted that it has awarded Telecom Kosovo a 2×10MHz block in the 800MHz band (811MHz-821MHz/852MHz-862MHz) alongside a 1×100MHz block in the 3.6GHz band (3510MHz-3610MHz). IPKO, meanwhile, was granted 2×10MHz in the 800MHz band (791MHz-801MHz/832MHz-842MHz) alongside a 1×100MHz block of spectrum at 3410MHz-3510MHz. All licences are technology-neutral and valid for 20 years.

ARKEP notes that an additional 90MHz block of 5G spectrum in the 3710MHz-3800MHz range has been awarded to the NGN Institute with a view to supporting the deployment of local private 5G networks/non-commercial networks. The regulator says that this represents the first such authorisation in the region for such networks.