Serbia has finally announced a public auction for 5G network licenses after nearly a decade of delays, despite many countries already testing 6G technology. Experts note that Serbia was technically ready for 5G as early as 2020, but the auction was postponed, possibly due to financial constraints at Telekom Srbija and concerns about competition from SBB (now owned by Yettel).
Auction details:
- The starting price for the minimum frequency package is €100 million, payable in two installments.
- Only companies meeting strict criteria can participate: over 1.5 million mobile users and €300 million in mobile service revenue in 2024.
- New market entrants must have a national roaming agreement with an existing operator.
- These rules effectively limit participation to Serbia’s three largest operators: Telekom, A1, and Yettel.
Expert opinions:
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- Prof. Irini Reljin: Serbia was ready for 5G in 2020. While 5G provides faster data for consumers, its main benefits are industrial—supporting high-speed, low-latency applications like autonomous vehicles and industrial automation. Nationwide rollout is feasible within five years, primarily in cities and industrial areas.
- Prof. Aleksandra Smiljanić: The high license cost will likely be passed on to consumers. The telecommunications market in Serbia is effectively cartellized, favoring large operators and limiting competition, which can lead to higher prices and lower service quality.
Regulatory framework:
- The auction is organized by RATEL (Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services).
- Interested companies can purchase auction documents by September 15, 2025, and submit applications by October 20, 2025.
- Bank guarantees are required to confirm serious participation.
Experts warn that Serbia’s 5G rollout is late, with limited competition, and that the technology’s industrial advantages may outweigh direct consumer benefits in the short term.
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