NMHH 900MHz auction could raise up to USD134.4m for state coffers

The Budapest Business Journal reports that the government’s auction of mobile frequency spectrum in the 900MHz band could raise HUF30 billion to HUF33 billion (USD122.2 million to USD134.4 million) of much needed income to support the state’s national budget. The auction will hopefully result in new competition in the shape of a fourth, state-owned, mobile operator – the national daily Nepszabadsag reported yesterday. The final results of the auction, which kicked off on 5 January, are expected to be announced within the next few days. The bidders in the process include incumbent cellcos T-Mobile, Telenor (formerly Pannon) and Vodafone – as well as a an application from a newcomer, a consortium of the state-owned Magyar Posta, the Hungarian Electricity Works (MVM) and a unit of the Hungarian Hungarian Development Bank (MFB).