1. What is the state of 5G deployment in your country, and specifically of the deployment of standalone (SA) 5G networks? 
  2. What is being done to ensure that a wide range of operators and industrial companies, from small to large, have access to frequencies? 
  3. What public tenders have awarded spectrum licences? 
    1. What were the criteria for awarding each of the tenders? 
    2. What are the conditions of the spectrum licence? 
    3. What is the price and how is it calculated?
    4. Have there been any issue with the implementation of the 5G projects?  Have there been any decisions regarding non-compliance with 5G concession obligations? 
  4. Is there a long-term spectrum plan or announcements for future tenders? 
  5. If 5G specific rules are drafted, what do they say? 
  7. What are or will be the rules for granting competitors access to new 5G networks once they are deployed? 
  8. What comments have been made regarding 5G cybersecurity and possible use of Chinese technology, including regulation? 
  9. Is there any project regarding 6G in your jurisdiction?

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Bosnia and Herzegovina
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1. What is the state of 5G deployment in your country, and specifically of the deployment of standalone (SA) 5G networks? 

5G network is not yet available, and there is no information on when it will be available, which is primarily due to the fact that 4G network only became active relatively recently, and also because currently there is no infrastructure or a precise regulatory framework in place. 

Nonetheless, local telecom operators have been taking steps to explore and test their 5G technologies, readiness, and coverage. The regulator (the Regulatory Agency for Communication of Bosnia and Herzegovina) (Agency) has also indicated previously that the authorities are working towards implementation of 5G. 

On 2 November 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the 5G roadmap for digital transformation in the Western Balkans region, which aimed to define the conditions needed for implementation. 

Additionally, according to the Agency’s Framework Strategy for the 2021-2025, the aim was to free up frequency spectrum for 5G needs by December 2023, with the licensing procedure set to commence in March 2024. The goals set in the Framework Strategy are not achieved within the set deadlines, the main reason being the lack of relevant regulatory framework. 

The Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina started the process of public consultations regarding the Draft Decision on adoption of the Framework Broadband Access Development Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2023-2027. Public consultations ended in June 2023 but the Strategy has not yet been adopted.

2. What is being done to ensure that a wide range of operators and industrial companies, from small to large, have access to frequencies? 

No information available.  

3. What public tenders have awarded spectrum licences? 

No information available. 

3.1 What were the criteria for awarding each of the tenders? 

3.2 What are the conditions of the spectrum licence? 

3.3 What is the price and how is it calculated?

3.4 Have there been any issue with the implementation of the 5G projects?  Have there been any decisions regarding non-compliance with 5G concession obligations? 

In its 2021 annual report, the Agency stated that existing operators largely lack mapping capacity, which prevents them from sharing infrastructure and could lead to unnecessary duplication of network capacity. This could significantly slow down the introduction and expansion of 5G networks.

In the latest Agency’s annual report (2023), even though planned, the projects Creation of prerequisites for the introduction of the 5G network and Introduction of the 5G network were classified in the group of non-realized projects due to the lack of legal framework based on which planned activities would be carried out. Completion of the projects was originally planned for December 2024 but, considering the current status, implementation will be inevitably delayed.

4. Is there a long-term spectrum plan or announcements for future tenders? 

No, developments have not yet reached the tendering phase. 

5. If 5G specific rules are drafted, what do they say? 

No 5G-specific rules are drafted yet.

6. Are 5G network sharing or spectrum sharing agreements in place? Is there any focused 5G network or spectrum sharing regulation? 

No.  

7. What are or will be the rules for granting competitors access to new 5G networks once they are deployed? 

No information available.  

8. What comments have been made regarding 5G cybersecurity and possible use of Chinese technology, including regulation? 

Nothing to note at the moment.  

9. Is there any project regarding 6G in your jurisdiction?

No.