5G regulation and law in Slovakia

Telecom operator 4ka launched the first 5G network launched in late 2019, in a 500m² area of Banská Bystrica. However, the auction process was completed at the end of November 2020, with the retail 5G network deployed at the end of 2020.

Since then, almost every major city (Bratislava, Košice, Trnava, Zilina) and their adjacent surroundings have been covered by a 5G network.

Here you can find a 5G national network coverage map https://www.nperf.com/sk/map/5g.

There are four mobile network operators: Orange (former Globtel), Slovak Telekom (former Eurotel and T-Mobile), 4ka (SWAN) and O2 Slovakia, which operate other brands. They partner with other resellers and virtual operators.

They have all launched 5G networks, covering:

• Orange: Bratislava, Košice, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Nitra Poprad, Trnava, Trenčín (link to map);
• Slovak Telekom: Bratislava, Košice, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Nitra Poprad (link to map);
• O2 Slovakia Bratislava, Košice, Žilina, Poprad and some other small cities (link to map);
• 4ka: small areas of Bratislava and Trnava (link to map).

Customers can access 5G services at similar/same prices to 4G, and operators do not offer special 5G tariffs.

5G has not yet been launched for industrial purposes.

The government has prepared a policy document summarising the steps it plans to take between 2020 and 2025. 

It includes a reorganisation of the 3.6 GHz frequency, legislative changes, and the creation of 5G communications platforms for authorities, industry, healthcare and agriculture.

Yes, frequencies (26 GHz is preferred) are accessible to stadiums, airports, highways, railways and other special premises.

The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RU) used electronic auctions in the SMRA (simultaneous multiple round auction) format to award individual authorisations for the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands. The overall consideration for the 700 MHz frequency bands and the remaining 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands was EUR 100,229,000.

The Regulatory Authority determines the terms of the tender in a call for tenders, which it publishes in its bulletin, on its website and in a notice in a national periodical. Successful bidders for 700 MHz spectrum are O2 Slovakia (bid EUR 32m), Orange Slovensko (EUR 33.63m), and Slovak Telekom (EUR 32.1m).  The licences are awarded for 20 years and are valid until 31 December 2040.

The Call for bids was published in English on the following link: 49605_call-for-tender.pdf (gov.sk)

The main condition for participation was depositing a financial security in the amount of EUR 137,500 to EUR 4m.

The only assessment criterion for the 2020 tender was the amount of the one-off reimbursement offered for the allocation of frequencies.

The Authority will decide how to  allocate frequencies based on the results of the tender according to the technical specifications in 5.2.

Slovakia’s 700MHz plan contains terms for use of frequencies, which will be further specified in the individual decision. 

• Frequency segment for base station public network stations 758-788 MHz
• Frequency segment for terminal public network stations 703-733 MHz
• Max. radiated power EIRP (effective isotropic radiated power)
• For base stations 64 dBm / 5 MHz
• For terminal stations 23 dBm
• Basic block size 5 MHz
• Duplex distance 55 MHz
• Modulation. - not determined.
• Operation mode FDD
• Type of radiocommunication - fixed
• Movable except air movable
• Harmonised standard ETSI
• EN 301 908
• Allocation method of frequencies - selection procedure
• Allocation rights from frequencies can be assigned or rented.
• Frequency method planning - the enterprise within the allocated frequency segment.
• Specific conditions - to use frequencies in border areas under the terms of international agreements.

The Regulation Authority will specify further conditions.

In the invitation to tender, the RU outlines a one-off payment as the floor price for the auction blocks. This opening price for each block category in each frequency band was determined as follows:

700 MHz − the Regulation Authority has based the opening price per auction block on the opening prices set for the 800 MHz frequency band in the 2013 tender, adjusting for the cost of building 5G networks, the allocation timeline, the range of frequencies offered, and the technical and economic potential of the frequencies.

The Regulation Authority introduced the spectrum usage plan: 288/2022 Z.z. - Vyhláška Úradu pre reguláciu elektr... - SLOV-LEX.

The spectrum use plan consists of 156 annexes containing, in particular, details of the frequency band and its use for communication services and applications, the general conditions for its use and authorisation, details of relevant international documents, as well as the technical characteristics and specific conditions of its use.

Slovakia has also adopted a guideline for supporting and developing 5G networks for the 2020 – 2025 period.

No 5G specific rules have been drafted, and the Regulation Authority is not preparing any such rules.

In March 2019, the European Parliament also raised concerns about Chinese vendors' 5G network equipment that could pose a threat to European consumers because of the laws of their country of origin and a potential security risk to the EU.

We are not aware of any decisions regarding non-compliance with 5G concessions’ obligations.

We are not aware of any network or spectrum sharing regulation.  Sharing 5G infrastructure is not prohibited by the law however, and network owners must follow competition regulations.

We are not aware of any specific network or spectrum sharing agreements. But we assume that telecom companies will eventually enter into these once commercially required.

It is not clear what the rules will be on granting competitors access to 5G networks.

National intelligence services have warned that certain technologies could represent a security risk.

In addition, the US and Slovakia have signed a memorandum on 5G network security. It is not legally binding and does not prevent Slovakia from deciding which companies, under which conditions, may supply 5G network technology.

However, it does reportedly agree that any assessment of 5G technology suppliers should take into account the rule of law, compliance with security standards, and the need for a secure environment.

The text also mentions examining whether technology suppliers are subject to foreign government control - with no potential for an independent judicial review, whether they have a transparent ownership structure, and whether they respect intellectual property rights.