Communications (Greek market)

2021: Mobile operator from the top 3 in Greece Wind Hellas sold to rival United Group

In mid-August 2021, the Dutch telecommunications company United Group, operating in Southeast Europe, signed an agreement with Crystal Almond Holdings Limited to acquire Wind Hellas, one of the three main telecom operators in Greece. More details here.

2020: 5G frequencies sold out of auction in Greece for 372 million euros

On December 16, 2020, an auction for the sale of 5G frequencies, which included six rounds, ended in Greece. In total, 372.3 million euros were raised, which is slightly more than the authorities expected (367 million euros).

According to information published by the Greek newspaper Ekathimerini, frequencies in the bands of 700 MHz, 2 GHz, 3.4-3.8 GHz and 26 GHz were put up for tender. Three local mobile operators - Cosmote (OTE Group), Vodafone and Wind Hellas - received frequencies in all bands. Vodafone spent the most - 130.2 million euros for the same number of lots as Cosmote, which paid 123 million euros. Wind Hellas spent 119.1 million euros.

In Greece, 5G frequencies were auctioned off for 372 million euros, Wind Hellas, Vodafone and OTE Group received frequencies

The distribution of spectra differs in average frequencies, where Cosmote received fifteen lots, Vodafone fourteen and Wind only ten, and in the 26 GHz band, where Cosmote and Vodafone received two lots, and Wind received only one lot. In the 700 MHz band, each operator received two units. Thus, Greece will become the third EU country to provide a range of 26 GHz.

Licenses for all initial ranges will be valid for 15 + 5 years from December 20, 2020 to December 19, 2035 (except for certain items from the 3.4-3.8 GHz spectrum that will be valid from May 1, 2029). Licenses in the 700 MHz and 3.4-3.8 GHz bands include coverage obligations during the first three years of 5G communications. Experts suggest that by 2025 the number of connections to 5G networks will reach 3 million in Greece, and this will bring operators a total revenue of approximately 260 million euros, which will be 15% of the total revenue of mobile operators. It is expected that in three years 60% of the inhabitants of Greece will have access to 5G networks, and in six years the coverage will be 94%.^[1]

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