Romanian telecoms regulator ANCOM has sold-off a swathe of new spectrum licences – including bandwidth suitable for LTE – to five local operators, generating EUR682 million in fees.

The auction of spectrum in the 485MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2600MHz bands has increased the amount of spectrum available for mobile communication services in the country by 77 percent. The 2600MHz band will be used for FDD-LTE services.

Orange Romania was awarded licences for 12 blocks valid for 15 years starting in 2014 for EUR227.1 million, as well as eight short-term licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands valid from 13 January 2013 to 5 April 2014. The new licences increase Orange’s spectrum resources by 84 percent.

Vodafone Romania won 11 spectrum blocks, and eight short-term licences, paying a total EUR228.5 million. The new licences boost the amount of spectrum that can be used by the operator by 78 percent.

Cosmote Romanian Mobile Telecommunications was awarded 10 spectrum blocks for a total of EUR179.9 million, boosting it spectrum holdings by 58 percent.

2K Telecom Company won two blocks in the 2600MHz band for EUR6.6 million while RCS & RDS secured a single block in the 900MHz band for EUR40 million.

The licence fees will be paid in instalments between 30 November 2012 and 30 June 2013 while Cosmote, RCS & RDS and 2K Telecom have committed to hosting MVNOs on their newly-acquired spectrum.

ANCOM said the auction will see 676 villages that are currently unable to access mobile broadband receive priority coverage with either HSPA, HSPA+ or LTE.