Hong Kong’s Ofca assigns first 5G spectrum

Hong Kong operators HKT, SmarTone and China Mobile Hong Kong have all been granted spectrum in the 26-GHz and 28-GHz frequency bands for 5G use.

The three operators, which had each applied to be assigned spectrum across the two bands, have each been offered 400 MHz of spectrum on a provisional basis by telecommunications regulator Ofca.

The applicants were all found to have fulfilled the required licensing criteria to be granted assignment of the non-shared spectrum.

The administrative assignment of the 26-GHz and 28-GHz spectrum will be followed up with the auction of 380MHz of spectrum in the 3.3-GHz, 3.5-GHz and 4.9-GHz bands in the middle of the year.

Hong Kong’s second largest operator by market share 3 Hong Kong declined to apply to be assigned 26-GHz and 28-GHz spectrum, opting instead to rely on its existing airwaves and the spectrum it expects to be able to acquire in the upcoming 5G auction.

In addition, 3 Hong Kong cited factors including Ofca’s requirement that operators establish thousands of radio units compatible with the spectrum within five years of the assignment, as well as the shortage of announced devices that support the two frequency bands.