.pp-multiple-authors-boxes-wrapper {display:none;}
img {width:100%;}
Netherlands’ telecoms regulator announced this week that KPN, Odido, and VodafoneZiggo have each successfully acquired 100 MHz of spectrum in the coveted 3.5GHz band.
The long-awaited auction, which raised a total of €174.4 million, saw each operator secure their spectrum allocation for just over the reserve price.
KPN invested €58.4 million, VodafoneZiggo paid €57.5 million, and Odido (formerly T-Mobile Netherlands) acquired its share for a comparable amount. These licenses will remain valid until 2040, providing a long-term foundation for the development of advanced 5G services.
Initially planned for 2021, the spectrum allocation process was held up due to a complex legal dispute with satellite operator Inmarsat, which was already utilising the spectrum for emergency maritime communications. The impasse was finally resolved last year when Inmarsat agreed to relocate its affected ground station to Greece.
Joost Farwerck, CEO of KPN, said: “The newly acquired 3.5 GHz licenses will increase network capacity and enable higher throughput for our customers to enter the next phase of 5G. The auction outcome allows us to continue offering high-quality mobile services and to develop new and innovative 5G services for our customers, in line with our Connect, Activate & Grow strategy.”
Similarly, Thomas Helbo, CTO at VodafoneZiggo, expressed satisfaction with the outcome: “Securing additional spectrum will not only further strengthen our mobile services and 5G-activities, but also ensure that we can continue to innovate, drive digital transformation, and support sustainable development.”
The Netherlands already boasts one of the world’s leading mobile networks, with VodafoneZiggo having introduced the country’s first nationwide 5G network four years ago. KPN has also made significant strides with 5G via the 700 MHz band, earning global recognition for network quality and coverage.
The acquisition of the 3.5GHz spectrum is crucial for unlocking the full potential of 5G technology. It will enable the operators to deliver low-latency, high-speed 5G services, meeting both current and future customer demands. This is particularly significant for VodafoneZiggo, which is part of Europe’s largest 5G network and a leading player in the IoT market with over 175 million IoT connections.
Beyond consumer applications, the enhanced 5G capabilities opened up by this spectrum will drive innovation across various sectors. VodafoneZiggo, for instance, has established a network of 35 active ecosystem partners—completing more than 10 successful projects and winning two innovation awards.
As the 3.5GHz spectrum becomes operational, customers can expect significantly improved mobile experiences, faster data speeds, and more reliable connections. For businesses, this development unlocks new possibilities for efficiency, productivity, and innovative services that could reshape entire industries.
As these telecom giants continue to expand their 5G capabilities, the coming years are likely to see an acceleration of 5G-driven innovations across smart cities, autonomous vehicles, advanced healthcare solutions, and industrial applications.
(Photo by Callum Parker)
See also: Nokia and Telefónica partner to boost Spanish private 5G networks
Unified Communications is a two-day event taking place in California, London, and Amsterdam that delves into the future of workplace collaboration in a digital world. The comprehensive event is co-located with Digital Transformation Week, IoT Tech Expo, Edge Computing Expo, Intelligent Automation, AI & Big Data Expo, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.
Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.
This post was originally published on the 3rd party mentioned in the title ofthis site
