The low-cost operator Digi has already obtained the necessary authorisation to finalise the purchase of the spectrum, which MasOrange had to dispose of in order to complete the merger between Orange and MasMovil. In addition, it will also be able to begin rolling out its own mobile network in Spain.
Over the past few months, there is no doubt that one of the main plans for the future of the Romanian operator is to set up its own mobile network. However, the approval of the Spanish Government was still pending for the sale of the 60 MHz of MasOrange to Digi for 120 million euros to be made effective. And all because it was part of the ‘remedies’ that Brussels set out to give the green light to the merger between Orange and MasMovil in Spain.
Digi will now have access to 60 MHz
At the end of February this year, the merger was approved to create the giant MasOrange in Spain. A merger that took a long time and in which a third operator came into play: Digi. The cheap operator managed to take up to 60 MHz of spectrum from this telephone company in exchange for 120 million euros. However, for the transfer of the spectrum to take place, the approval of the Spanish Government was still pending. But, finally, Digi gets the authorization.
It should be noted that any change in the ownership of the spectrum must be authorized by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service. Therefore, as El Español – Invertia reports, the Ministry has given the go-ahead for the 60 MHz to finally go to Digi, after being owned by Xfera, that is, the MasMovil Group. In this way, the low-cost operator becomes the fourth teleco in Spain to have its own mobile frequencies, as is the case with MasOrange, Telefónica and Vodafone.
The agreement includes the transfer to Digi España of three 20 MHz blocks in the following frequency bands: 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz and 3,500 MHz. However, one of the positive aspects is that the low-cost operator will now have an easier time deploying its own mobile network in our country. And all thanks to one of its latest agreements with Movistar.
Own mobile network from 2025
Although there is no specific date set by Digi yet, what is clear is that the deployment of this mobile network will begin in 2025. That is, it is foreseeable that the low-cost operator will decide to begin developing its network from next year. The positive side is that thanks to the latest agreement signed with Telefónica, the deployment will certainly be faster.
Digi and Movistar renewed their wholesale agreement, even after trying to change coverage with MasOrange. However, the latest terms agreed between these two operators come into effect from January 1, 2025, when ‘Ran Sharing’ will be applied. This is nothing more than the fact that they will share access networks and radio spectrum.
Therefore, if this element is taken into account, as the Romanian operator has already explained, the renewal of this alliance with Telefónica implies that a faster and more efficient mobile network deployment can be carried out in Spain. Basically, because Digi will be able to use the infrastructure and equipment of Movistar’s mobile network to deploy its network.
