Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Spain Postpones 5G Spectrum Auction Due To Coronavirus

Reuters

   MADRID - Spain will delay a planned auction of 5G spectrum due to the
   coronavirus outbreak, the government said on Monday.
   As part of a Europe-wide drive to speed up the roll out of fast
   Internet and broaden coverage, Spain had been due to free up space in
   the 700 MHz band of its network by switching from analog to digital
   terrestrial television by June 30.
   One of the world's worst national outbreaks of the virus, which had
   infected 85,915 people and killed 7,340 as of Monday, constitutes force
   majeure, making it impossible to stick to that deadline, the government
   said in a statement.
   Madrid has told Brussels it will set a new deadline for the 700 MHz
   band depending on the eventual end-date for emergency measures
   including restrictions on people's movements, it added.
   Austria postponed a planned 5G auction last week, and the CEO of French
   group Iliad said one coming up in France would likely meet the same
   fate.