5G regulation and law in North Macedonia

The Agency for Electronic Communications (Agency) allocated the first bands of frequencies for 5G networks (700MHz and 3.6GHz bands) in 2022. 

The first 5G network started commercial operations in 2022.

The Ministry of Information Society and Administration announced 5G deployment in April 2019 with the National Operative Broadband Plan 2019-2029 (NOBP). 

The NOBP has set out the following timetable: 

1. By the end of 2023 - a 5G signal must be available in at least one city.
2. By the end of 2025 - a 5G signal must be available in the main transport corridors (basic road network).
3. By the end of 2027 - a 5G signal must be available in all cities. 
4. By the end of 2029:
   1. 5G should be available at a speed of at least 100 Mbps to everyone, 
   2. At least 50% of household speeds must be at least 100 Mbps, 
   3. All households must have access to a speed of at least 100 Mbps (with the potential for affordable upgrades), and 
   4. All public institutions must have symmetrical access to a speed of at least 1 Gb/s.

In April 2022, the Agency announced its intention to implement a (new, second) public tender process with public bidding. 

The subject of this public tender was i) 2x30 MHz in the 694-790 MHz band (i.e., 700 MHz), ii) 328.5 MHz in the 3400-3800 MHz band (i.e., 3.x GHz) and iii) 800 MHz in the 24.25-27.5 GHz band (i.e., 26 GHz). 

The Agency planned to grant three licences for the 700 MHz band, seven licences in the 3.x GHz band, and four licences in the 26 GHz band.

These are 15-year licences that can be extended for another five years.

(See Question 3)

The Agency conducted a public tender for 5G spectrum in 2022. The licenses were issued in various frequency bands, including 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz. A1 Macedonia and Macedonian Telecom were the main operators awarded licenses, marking an important step in the country's move toward 5G technology.

The licences will go to the highest bidder in each category.

The main conditions under which the radio frequencies will be used are:

1. Location and coverage area (some approvals will be for national coverage, and some for regional coverage).
2. Roll-out dates (operators that will receive approval should meet the planned dates for rolling out according to the NOBP).
3. Synchronisation obligations (as specified in the public tender).
4. Quality parameters for public electronic communication services.
5. Start with use (the assigned radio frequencies should go into use no more than one year from the date the licence goes into effect). 
6. Technology and service neutrality .
7. Prior consent for transfer (the right to use the assigned radio frequencies can be transferred only with prior consent of the Agency).
8. Payment of fees (the licence holder must pay an annual fee for the frequencies and other items).

The Agency set minimum one-time fees for the use of the radio frequencies with national coverage:

The Agency assessed the fees according to previous 3G and 4G processes and to a comparative analysis with other European countries, considering their populations’ relative purchasing power.

In June 2022, the Agency decided minimum fees:  for the 713-723/768-778 MHz and for the 723-733/778-788 MHz – EUR 5.25m (USD 5.476m).; and 

1. for the 3.6-3.7 GHz range and for the 3.7-3.8 GHz range – EUR 2.9m (USD 3.02m).

In November 2021, ahead of the public tender procedure scheduled to begin in April 2022, the Agency decided on a minimum for the one-time licence fee and method of payment for radio frequencies from the 700 MHz and 3.x GHz bands. The minimum fee for the A1 approval (reserved for a new, third operator) was set at EUR 2.75m (USD 2.87m), while the minimum for the B1 approval (also “reserved” for a new, third operator) was EUR 1.25m (USD 1.3m). The Agency announced the following starting prices:

1. “A1”: 703-713/758-768 MHz (2x10 MHz) – EUR 2.75m  (USD 2.87m) “A2”: 713-723/768-778 MHz (2x10 MHz) – EUR 5.5m (USD 5.74m)
2. “A3”: 723-733/778-788 MHz (2x10 MHz) – EUR 5.5m (USD 5.74m)
3. “B1”: 3.5-3.6 GHz (1x100 MHz) - EUR 1.25m (USD 1.3m)
4. “B2”: 3.6-3.7 GHz (1x100 MHz) - EUR 2.5m (USD 2.6m)
5. “B3”: 3.7-3.8. GHz (1x100 MHz) - EUR 2.5m (USD 2.6m).

In December 2021, the Commission for the Protection of Competition initiated a process to assess the potential for state aid, after it determined that the reduced fee for the A1 and B1 approvals were in effect state aid. Later that month, the Agency stopped the process.

Operators must submit quarterly reports to the Agency with data on the technical features of the network, speed, and geographical location addressing such elements: 

1. As to whether they can provide broadband access to services with a speed of at least 30 Mbps.
2. New Generation Access (NGA), which can provide broadband access to services with a speed equal to or greater than 30 Mbps and less than 100 Mbps. 
3. As to whether they can provide broadband access to services of at least 100 Mbps.

The operators were asked to submit the first data by 28 June 2023.

There is no publicly available information on any issues related to implementation of 5G projects in North Macedonia. However, the NOBP has identified infrastructure investment and investment in innovation/services as  challenges to implementation.

There is no publicly available information on any decisions regarding non-compliance with 5G concession obligations in North Macedonia.

Yes. The Agency in March 2021 adopted a plan to award and use 5G frequencies..

Beside the documents mentioned in this guide, we cannot identify other publicly available rules that would be relevant.

The right to use the assigned radio frequencies can be transferred only with prior consent of the Agency. 

We are not aware of publicly available 5G network sharing or spectrum sharing agreements in place.

The regulatory policy on frequencies should always ensure efficient and sustainable competition, with more than two public mobile network operators.

(Please see Questions 2-4)

North Macedonia and the US signed the Clean Network Memorandum of Understanding on 23 October 2020.
Additionally, in July 2018, North Macedonia adopted the National Strategy for Cyber Security 2018-2022. In November 2022, a new National Strategy for Cyber Security 2023-2026 was proposed. 

The latest amendment on the Law on Electronic Communications in 2021 brought new cybersecurity rules. These include: 

1. Assessment of the risk profile of network operator suppliers and manufacturers.   New obligations for the operators to manage potential risks regarding suppliers and manufacturers, adoption of relevant plans and service usage guidelines.  Safe management, operation, and monitoring of electronic communication networks among operators (i.e., establishment of centres for network operators and/or centers for secure operations to ensure secure network management and functioning).
2. The government has also adopted a methodology to assess the risk profile of suppliers and manufacturers of network equipment, and a list of critical components and sensitive network parts  (including for 5G networks).

6G technology is still in its early conceptual phase worldwide, with most countries, including North Macedonia, are focusing on the ongoing development and deployment of 5G networks. While North Macedonia is currently focusing on the ongoing deployment of 5G, there is no project regarding 6G.