5G Frequency Spectrum in Estonia

Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication (MKM) will auction the 3400 – 3800 MHz (n78) band to start 5G deployment however, the date of the auction has not been announced yet. The 24.25 – 27.5 GHz (n258) frequency band is also expected to be used for mm-Wave 5G in the future. MKM is also considering the potential use of 40.5 - 43.5 GHz and 66 - 71 GHz spectrum for 5G deployment.

An auction for the 3400 -3800 MHz (n78) band was to be held in 2019 in which the country’s top three telecom operators – Telia, Elisa and Tele2 were participating. But it got suspended in April, 2019 after being legally challenged by wireless ISP Levicom, which said the auction supported incumbents and should include a fourth license so that others can have chance to enter the auction. Estonia’s IT minister announced in June 2020 that a fourth license will be offered in the 5G auctions. 

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications issued a roadmap for 5G spectrum in March 2019 which included an auction of 700 MHz band and a public discussion for the use of 26 GHz (n258) frequency band. However, there is no concrete information available about when the 5G auctions will take place for any of the band in Estonia.