RTR, Austria’s telecoms regulator stated on Monday that all those who would like to get a 5G licence in the second auction, must work towards offering the latest network to rural areas as well. The regulator plans to see that everyone in the community has access to 5G network – whether its in cities, rural and mountainous areas. 

Whilst at a conference in Vienna, RTR chief Klaus Steinmaurer said that the next auction is likely to take pace during spring 2020 and it will offer 700, 1,500 and 2,100 MHZ bands. The listed bands will have to give data rates for autonomous driving as well as link to machines and production sites. 

The first 5G auction in Austria, which was for bands of 3.4 to 3.8 GHz, allowed for populated areas to have fast data services. However, the next licenses issued will be distributed nationwide rather than regionally. In addition, RTR is likely to list requirements and incentives to the distribution of the frequencies, so to try to motivate the license owners to give several communities connection. 

The regulator will only give licenses to those who commit to offering fast internet for a particular number of communities that do not already have a speedy connection. Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim’s A1 Telekom Austria, Deutsche Telekom’s Magenta Telekom and Chinese Hutchison’s Drei Austria all bought licenses in the previous auction. 

The Austrian government is planning to have ‘virtually nationwide’ 5G coverage by the end of 2025.