Ice, Telia and Telenor have won spectrum in the auction of the 700 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands. This award is an important step towards introducing 5G in Norway. The auction finished 5 June 2019.

Today, 3 June 2019, the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has started the 700 MHz and 2.1 GHz auction, where bidders may acquire important 5G frequency resources for the next 20 years.

The Spectrum Roadmap published by Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom), presents Nkom’s strategic plan for the frequency bands identified for mobile communications in Norway.

The BEREC Opinion on the evaluation of the net neutrality regulation in Europe concludes that, in general, the regulation is working according to its intention. Nevertheless, the guidelines could be clarified in certain instances, which BEREC will follow-up in 2019.

The national regulatory authorities for electronic communications in the Nordic and Baltic countries have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in selected areas. The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) is the contracting party for Norway.

The annual report on net neutrality from the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) concludes that, in general, the state of net neutrality in the Norwegian market seems to be relatively good. Nkom also has critical comments regarding a few conditions.

The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has conducted a market surveillance inspection of smart watches for children. None of the 18 smart watches inspected met all of the requirements for sale in Norway. The findings show that the distributors and importers of smart watches have not assessed the watches thoroughly enough before introducing them on the Norwegian market.

On 8 December 2017 the Norwegian government decided that 2 x 30 MHz in the 700 MHz band shall be made available for commercial operators. The decision is in accordance with the Norwegian Communications Authority's (Nkom) recommendation to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the joint recommendation from the Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) and Nkom that the next-generation emergency communications network should be realized within commercial networks. Nkom will now continue with preparations towards the assignment of the 700 MHz band.

Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has conducted an analysis of Telias’s zero-rating offer Music Freedom based on the European net neutrality rules. Nkom has critical comments to several factors considered, but has concluded that it does not give ground to intervene at this point in time. Furthermore, Nkom will follow closely the development of zero-rating in the Norwegian market in the future.

The Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) and the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) have joined forces to provide a set of recommendations on the decision-making processes relating to the realisation of the next-generation emergency communications network.