• 5G spectrum auction to take place before year-end, ministry confirms
• Only 2 out of 3 telcos expected to secure spectrum in first round
• TRCSL completes all regulatory preparations, public consultations
• Dialog, SLT-Mobitel continue limited pre-commercial 5G operations

All preparatory work for the commercial rollout of 5G in Sri Lanka has been finalised and the much-heralded 5G spectrum auction will be held within this year, the Ministry of Digital Economy reveals. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne said that all preparatory work for the commercial rollout of 5G in Sri Lanka, including the necessary guidelines, had been finalised by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). 

He added that the next step was to hold the 5G spectrum auction.

“The guidelines and everything else are now in order at the TRCSL,” he stated.

However, he acknowledged that no dates had been set yet for the 5G spectrum auction. Nonetheless, he assured that the auction would take place before the end of the year.

He added: “The only thing left is to decide the date of the auction. Any other conditions that we think have to be included will be added. There could be a few changes here and there, but the plans and everything else are pretty much in order,” he said. 

Weeraratne further stated that they were hoping to initially offer two spectrum bands at the 5G auction.

This will invariably mean that out of the three telecom operators in the country that will participate in the 5G spectrum auction, only two will be able to succeed.

The TRCSL has already granted certain telecommunications providers such as Dialog Axiata and SLT-Mobitel with usage rights for spectrums in the 3.5 GHz band, allowing them to provide pre-commercial 5G services ahead of the issue for commercial fixed, mobile, ISP, and satellite broadcast licences.

The 2022 Budget initially proposed the sale of 5G frequencies by way of auction. Accordingly, it was proposed that a fee be charged for 5G licences issued by the TRCSL via auction. This includes fixed phone lines, mobile connections, and internet services, as well as satellite broadcasting operations. 

Although the 5G spectrum auction was originally expected to be held during Q1 of 2022 and then subsequently postponed to 2023, such plans have failed to materialise to date.

On 22 December 2023, the TRCSL announced the commencement of a public consultation on Spectrum Assignment for Advanced Broadband Services Including 5G.