Published: 21 October 2025

Summary of the Public Hearing held on 16 September 2025 on frequency bands available for the provision of wireless broadband services

On 16 September 2025, the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (hereinafter referred to as ‘NMHH’ or the ‘Authority’) held a public hearing to present options for the frequency bands (700 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz, 26 GHz, 32 GHz, 42 GHz, 3.8–4.2 GHz and the upper 6 GHz band) that can be used for the provision of wireless broadband services and to identify market needs. The event was based on the announcement made on 5 August 2025 and the preparatory documents published on 14 August 2025. The public hearing started with a brief presentation of the published preparatory documents.

The Authority informed those present that it would prepare and publish a summary of the public hearing.

The participants made the following comments on the particular frequency bands.

Comments were made in support of the sale for MFCN (commercial mobile) purposes of the 2×5 MHz band remaining after the auction held in 2020, out of the 2x30 MHz in the 700 MHz frequency band that can be used for MFCN systems under the EU obligation. Yettel supports the NMHH's idea and is open to active communication for a successful implementation. Similar to Yettel, Pro-M Zrt. supported the NMHH's idea, but also initiated the imposition of a PPDR cooperation obligation and the inclusion of territorial coverage requirements to improve broadband coverage for PPDR users and standby services (especially in border zones and sparsely populated areas). Magyar Telekom indicated that the conditions attached to the acquisition of the right should not be substantially more favourable than the conditions set in the previous regime of true competition and that it does not require the lifting of the spectrum cap.

For the 26 GHz frequency band, representatives of all the involved companies with the necessary rights indicated that they do not see any real demand for 5G services at the moment, and therefore requested that existing microwave point-to-point rights be maintained and, if legally possible, that enabling alternative use be explored until there is actual demand for 5G services. The situation has remained unchanged since 2017; mobile operators do not foresee the emergence of 26 GHz at the medium-term ecosystem level in their mobile operator portfolios. Pro-M indicated that it would like to claim at least a 200 MHz non-civilian band for PPDR when the ecosystem is made available for broadband PPDR use.

4iG is planning to install ground receiving stations for satellite Earth observation (space-to-Earth) in the upper part of the band at two sites in Hungary in connection with the HUSAT programme, for which it requested long-term enhanced interference protection.
The 42 GHz frequency band was the subject of one comment. Pro-M indicated a PPDR demand in the 42 GHz frequency band in the longer term, but only if the ecosystem is developed in a positive way. They suggested that, when the legislator decides on allocation, a non-civilian part of an appropriate size should be created.

In respect of the 2100 MHz frequency band, the holders of the right to use the band's radio spectrum focused on business continuity. 4iG indicated its need for renewal and asked for the procedure to be started as soon as possible, given that one of the two rights of the group shall expire in 2027. Since their other right expires in 2035, in view of this they also proposed to have a single expiry date, harmonised with their current latest expiry date (2035 + 5 years). Magyar Telekom's representative explained that they support any procedure that allows them to ‘recover’ the blocks used by them, but they also consider renewal to be an ideal solution in the first place, because it recognises the capital and innovation already invested. Magyar Telekom does not request the ‘harmonisation’ of expiry dates, because in their case the maximum possible extension is initiated for the two expiring blocks. The other acceptable solution for Magyar Telekom is a competitive tendering procedure that does not require the re-acquisition of their block operating in the 2100 MHz frequency band as a condition for the acquisition of another frequency band. Yettel, whose 2100 MHz right is due to expire in full, favours renewal, but also considers the auction format to be acceptable for the reallocation of the 900/1800 MHz frequency band.

Regarding the 1500 MHz frequency band, Yettel indicated that there is currently no real demand for the use of the band, but they see an increase in downlink traffic. In particular, downlink traffic for TV services is increasing due to the significant Fix Wireless Access customer base. However, priority should be given to the renewal and resale of the 700 MHz frequency band and, most importantly, the 2100 MHz frequency band before the new frequency band is allocated. Pro-M Zrt., on the other hand, identified an uplink demand and indicated no additional downlink demand.

The 3.8–4.2 GHz frequency band was mentioned by Hewlett Packard Enterprise in its statement to the effect that, of the options mentioned in question 14, it supports only option ‘A’, arguing that the European Council specifically designed this band for low- and medium-power local networks, with all other sharing options limiting the options for contractors and suppliers.

Audi Hungaria generally indicated that the delay in ensuring domestic access to the dedicated spectrum for industrial 5G networks and frequency bands is causing a competitiveness gap, while spectrum is already available and being used in production at group level in Germany. Spectrum demand has also been announced for production in Hungary.

Opinions differ on the potential uses of the upper 6 GHz band. 4iG, as a member of GSMA/Connect Europe, shares the regulatory professional position of these international organisations and supports the designation of the entire upper 6 GHz band for mobile MFCN purposes. In its professional position, Spectrum Advise also indicated support for mobile purpose use. The identification of the band for IMT (international mobile telecommunications) purposes would be very important for the introduction of 6G. Virtually all mobile generations had a low-range frequency band that was suitable for providing wide coverage and a medium-range frequency band that was suitable for providing adequate coverage and sufficient capacity. Comments representing WAS/RLAN interests – in particular Hewlett Packard Enterprise, also referring to its DSA membership, and the Hungarian Communications Association – indicated support for access to the entire 1200 MHz range of the upper 6 GHz band for RLAN/Wi-Fi purposes. If sharing in the upper 6 GHz band is indeed put on the agenda, they consider that at least 320 MHz will be required exclusively for Wi-Fi, while the remaining part should prioritise Wi-Fi, and non-overlapping 40/80 MHz channel allocation should be provided across the entire range as a response to dense deployments. According to the Hungarian Communications Association, the broadest possible frequency spectrum is needed to provide competitive internet services. As a technical argument, the automatic frequency coordination (AFC) capabilities of Wi-Fi 6E/7 were put forward, which may mitigate interference from shared use. In response to the comments, the NMHH noted that the DSA's position had also been published on its website before the public hearing.

In addition to the preliminary written comments and the oral declarations, the NMHH also provided the opportunity for interested parties to submit their views, suggestions and comments to the Authority in writing subsequently. The Authority will publish these together with the summary, while ensuring the protection of trade secrets.

Comments

Among the written comments below only the letter of Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the so called Multi Company Response is available in English. All other documents are written in Hungarian.