Lithuania Completes 700 MHz, 1500 MHz and 2100 MHz Spectrum Auction, Raising €29.03 Million
Lithuania has completed a major multi-band mobile spectrum auction covering frequencies in the 700 MHz, 1500 MHz and 2100 MHz bands. The national regulator, the Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (RRT), awarded spectrum to all three major Lithuanian mobile operators: Bitė Lietuva, Telia Lietuva and Tele2.
The auction generated total commitments of €29.03 million, compared with a combined starting value of €21.9 million for the spectrum placed on the market. The process also introduced extensive network coverage, mobile broadband quality, 5G deployment and network resilience obligations that operators will have to meet progressively through 2030.
The spectrum rights are nationwide and generally remain valid until 31 October 2042, providing operators with a long-term framework for investment in mobile network capacity and coverage.
Lithuania 2026 Spectrum Auction Results
| Operator | Band | Frequency Assignment | Bandwidth | Winning Bid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitė Lietuva | 700 MHz | 708–713 MHz / 763–768 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz | €7.50 million |
| Tele2 | 700 MHz | 703–708 MHz / 758–763 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz | €7.52 million |
| Telia Lietuva | 1500 MHz | 1432–1472 MHz | 40 MHz | €7.69 million |
| Tele2 | 1500 MHz | 1492–1512 MHz | 20 MHz | €0.32 million |
| Bitė Lietuva | 2100 MHz | 1920–1940 MHz / 2110–2130 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €2.00 million |
| Telia Lietuva | 2100 MHz | 1940–1960 MHz / 2130–2150 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €2.00 million |
| Tele2 | 2100 MHz | 1960–1980 MHz / 2150–2170 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €2.00 million |
€29.03 Million Raised Across Three Spectrum Bands
The three auction components generated a combined €29.03 million in spectrum commitments.
| Band | Total Winning Bids |
|---|---|
| 700 MHz | €15.02 million |
| 1500 MHz | €8.01 million |
| 2100 MHz | €6.00 million |
| Total | €29.03 million |
The combined initial value of the spectrum offered through the auction was €21.9 million. Most of the increase above the reserve level came from competition for contiguous spectrum in the 1500 MHz band.
700 MHz Spectrum Awarded to Tele2 and Bitė
The final stage of the auction covered additional spectrum in Lithuania's 700 MHz mobile band. Tele2 and Bitė Lietuva each secured a new paired 2 × 5 MHz allocation.
Tele2 won 703–708 MHz paired with 758–763 MHz after offering €7.52 million. Bitė obtained 708–713 MHz paired with 763–768 MHz for €7.50 million.
| Operator | Lower Frequency Block | Upper Frequency Block | Bandwidth | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tele2 | 703–708 MHz | 758–763 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz | €7.52 million |
| Bitė Lietuva | 708–713 MHz | 763–768 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz | €7.50 million |
The starting price for each 2 × 5 MHz block was €7.5 million, meaning the final bids remained close to the reserve level.
Telia Lietuva did not participate in this part of the auction and retained its existing 700 MHz allocation unchanged.
Final 700 MHz Arrangement Gives All Three Operators Contiguous 2 × 10 MHz Holdings
The 700 MHz auction was structured not only to release additional spectrum but also to allow rearrangement of frequencies already awarded during Lithuania's earlier 700 MHz licensing process.
Following completion of the new assignments and final frequency arrangement, RRT confirmed that Bitė, Telia and Tele2 will each hold a contiguous 2 × 10 MHz block in the 700 MHz band.
This configuration is important from a spectrum-efficiency perspective because contiguous bandwidth is generally easier to use efficiently than fragmented frequency holdings. It also leaves Lithuania's three national mobile operators with similarly sized allocations in this important coverage band.
Why 700 MHz Is Important for Lithuanian Mobile Networks
The 700 MHz band provides favourable propagation characteristics for mobile broadband. Signals at lower frequencies can generally cover larger areas from individual radio sites and provide stronger penetration into buildings than higher-frequency capacity bands.
These characteristics make the band particularly useful for nationwide mobile coverage and for improving service availability outside Lithuania's most densely populated urban areas.
The 2026 auction therefore complements the original Lithuanian 700 MHz assignments while helping operators consolidate their holdings into wider contiguous blocks.
Telia Secures 40 MHz of Contiguous 1500 MHz Spectrum
The strongest bidding competition during the entire auction occurred in the 1500 MHz band.
Telia Lietuva secured two adjacent 20 MHz blocks covering 1432–1452 MHz and 1452–1472 MHz, creating a contiguous 40 MHz allocation between 1432 MHz and 1472 MHz.
The combined reserve price for the two blocks was only €600,000. Competition pushed Telia's final commitment to €7.69 million, almost thirteen times the initial combined value.
| Operator | Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Combined Reserve | Winning Bid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telia Lietuva | 1432–1472 MHz | 40 MHz | €0.60 million | €7.69 million |
The result makes the 1500 MHz component the clearest example of competitive price discovery in Lithuania's 2026 spectrum process.
Tele2 Adds 20 MHz at 1492–1512 MHz
Tele2 obtained the third available 1500 MHz block, covering 1492–1512 MHz.
The 20 MHz allocation had an initial price of €300,000. Tele2 ultimately committed €320,000 for the frequency rights.
| Operator | Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Starting Price | Winning Bid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tele2 | 1492–1512 MHz | 20 MHz | €0.30 million | €0.32 million |
Bitė did not participate in the 1500 MHz auction.
1500 MHz Auction Allocates 60 MHz of New Capacity Spectrum
Overall, the 1500 MHz auction assigned 60 MHz of spectrum between Telia and Tele2.
| Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1432–1452 MHz | 20 MHz | Telia Lietuva |
| 1452–1472 MHz | 20 MHz | Telia Lietuva |
| 1492–1512 MHz | 20 MHz | Tele2 |
The band can provide operators with additional bandwidth for broadband network capacity, complementing their paired mobile spectrum holdings in lower and higher frequency ranges.
2100 MHz Spectrum Divided Equally Between Lithuania's Three Operators
The 2100 MHz auction produced a symmetrical result. Bitė, Telia and Tele2 each received one nationwide paired 2 × 20 MHz spectrum block.
Each block carried an initial price of €2 million, and each operator ultimately acquired its respective assignment for that same amount.
| Operator | Uplink | Downlink | Bandwidth | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitė Lietuva | 1920–1940 MHz | 2110–2130 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €2.00 million |
| Telia Lietuva | 1940–1960 MHz | 2130–2150 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €2.00 million |
| Tele2 | 1960–1980 MHz | 2150–2170 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €2.00 million |
The allocation places the complete 1920–1980 MHz / 2110–2170 MHz paired range covered by the auction across the three national operators.
Nationwide Spectrum Rights Valid Until October 2042
The spectrum rights issued through the 2026 process apply throughout Lithuania. Under the auction conditions, the authorization period extends until 31 October 2042.
| Band | Geographic Scope | Authorization End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 700 MHz | Nationwide | 31 October 2042* |
| 1500 MHz | Nationwide | 31 October 2042 |
| 2100 MHz | Nationwide | 31 October 2042 |
*Existing Telia 700 MHz authorization records retain their previously established administrative expiry date.
The long authorization period provides operators with investment certainty while linking use of the frequencies to extensive network-development and public-interest requirements.
Coverage and Service Obligations Form a Major Part of the Auction
RRT deliberately connected the new spectrum rights to detailed mobile network expansion requirements. The licences are therefore not simply rights to use frequencies; operators must also meet progressively stronger coverage, speed and resilience targets.
The conditions allow operators to satisfy these obligations using not only the frequencies acquired in the 2026 auction but also other spectrum available to their networks. This gives the companies flexibility to select the most suitable bands for different coverage and capacity requirements.
30 Mbps Mobile Broadband Required by the End of 2027
By 31 December 2027, winning operators must make mobile broadband services with a download speed of at least 30 Mbps available to households and business locations throughout Lithuania.
The initial requirement excludes isolated households located more than 0.5 kilometres from the nearest other household.
The operators must also begin providing services under the specified nationwide signal-strength requirements by the same deadline.
Coverage Requirements Expand Further in 2028
The obligations become more demanding by the end of 2028.
By 31 December 2028, at least 30 Mbps must be available to households across Lithuania, with the exception of isolated households located more than one kilometre from the nearest other household, as well as to business locations.
At the same time, operators must provide at least 100 Mbps mobile broadband to 95% of residential premises located within designated white zones in their assigned target groups.
These white zones represent areas where mobile broadband availability or quality remains insufficient and therefore require additional network investment.
100 Mbps Required in Settlements with More Than 200 Residents by 2030
By 31 December 2030, Lithuania's spectrum licence conditions require a further step in mobile broadband performance.
Households and businesses in settlements with more than 200 residents must have access to mobile broadband with download speeds of at least 100 Mbps.
RRT estimates that implementing the 100 Mbps expansion requirements alone will require approximately €72 million of operator investment through 2030.
| Deadline | Key Coverage / Speed Requirement |
|---|---|
| 31 December 2027 | At least 30 Mbps for households and businesses, subject to specified remote-household exception |
| 31 December 2028 | 30 Mbps requirement expanded further nationwide |
| 31 December 2028 | At least 100 Mbps for 95% of residential premises in assigned white-zone target areas |
| 31 December 2030 | At least 30 Mbps for households and businesses throughout Lithuania |
| 31 December 2030 | At least 100 Mbps in settlements with more than 200 residents |
Nationwide 5G Availability Required by the End of 2030
The auction conditions also include explicit requirements for fifth-generation mobile networks.
By 31 December 2030, operators must make 5G mobile services available throughout Lithuania. The licences also require operators to implement independently operating 5G Standalone technology within their networks by the same deadline.
This requirement goes beyond basic 5G radio coverage. A Standalone 5G architecture does not depend on the 4G core network and provides the technological foundation for more advanced 5G capabilities.
| 5G Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 5G service availability throughout Lithuania | 31 December 2030 |
| 5G Standalone technology implemented in operator networks | 31 December 2030 |
National Roaming Required During Exceptional Circumstances
The 2026 auction places unusual emphasis on network resilience as well as conventional coverage and capacity.
Under exceptional circumstances and following instructions from the responsible authorities, operators must be capable of providing national inter-network roaming throughout Lithuania.
The measure is intended to allow customers of an affected network to access communications services through another operator's infrastructure when required during serious disruptions or emergencies.
Priority Communications for Emergency and Critical Services
The licence conditions also require operators to provide priority communications for designated users performing emergency, security and other critical public functions.
These subscribers must receive communications priority over ordinary traffic where necessary, including during periods when mobile networks are operating at maximum load.
The requirement reflects the increasingly important role of public mobile networks as part of Lithuania's critical national communications infrastructure.
Network Operations and Cybersecurity Centres Must Remain Within Europe
Security requirements are incorporated directly into the spectrum authorization conditions.
Operators' network operations centres and cybersecurity operations centres must be located in Lithuania, another European Union member state or a country within the European Economic Area.
Auction participants and relevant equipment suppliers are also subject to national-security requirements applicable to telecommunications infrastructure and equipment.
700 MHz Payments Can Be Spread Over 15 Years
The auction established different payment structures depending on the spectrum band.
Payments for the 1500 MHz and 2100 MHz assignments are not divided into instalments and must be paid according to the applicable licensing timetable.
The 700 MHz spectrum fees follow a longer structure. The initial payment represents 30% of the applicable amount, while the remaining balance can be distributed proportionally over a 15-year period.
Annual payments begin in 2027 and are due by 31 March each year. Later instalments are subject to indexation according to Lithuania's applicable consumer price index methodology.
| Band | Payment Structure |
|---|---|
| 700 MHz | 30% initial payment; remaining amount distributed over 15 years |
| 1500 MHz | Payment not divided into instalments |
| 2100 MHz | Payment not divided into instalments |
Auction Started in February and Concluded in July 2026
RRT formally launched the multi-band auction on 5 February 2026.
Because the auction consisted of separate electronic bidding processes for the different bands, the winners were confirmed in several stages.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 5 February 2026 | RRT launches auction for 700 MHz, 1500 MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum |
| 15 June 2026 | 2100 MHz winners confirmed |
| 18 June 2026 | 1500 MHz winners confirmed |
| 9 July 2026 | 700 MHz winners confirmed and complete auction results announced |
Summary of Lithuania's 2026 Spectrum Awards
| Operator | 700 MHz | 1500 MHz | 2100 MHz | Auction Commitments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitė Lietuva | 2 × 5 MHz newly awarded | — | 2 × 20 MHz | €9.50 million |
| Telia Lietuva | No new spectrum | 40 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €9.69 million |
| Tele2 | 2 × 5 MHz newly awarded | 20 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | €9.84 million |
| Total | 2 × 10 MHz newly awarded | 60 MHz | 3 × (2 × 20 MHz) | €29.03 million |
Outlook for Lithuania's Mobile Spectrum and 5G Networks
Lithuania's 2026 spectrum auction combines additional frequency capacity with a long-term programme for nationwide mobile network development.
The allocation strengthens several layers of the country's mobile spectrum portfolio. Additional 700 MHz frequencies improve the structure of low-band holdings and leave all three national operators with contiguous 2 × 10 MHz blocks. The 1500 MHz assignments provide additional capacity spectrum, while the complete 2100 MHz range included in the process has been divided equally between Bitė, Telia and Tele2.
The auction's wider significance, however, lies in the obligations attached to those spectrum rights. Operators must progressively improve mobile broadband availability through 2027 and 2028, provide 100 Mbps services across designated underserved areas and larger settlements, enable nationwide 5G services and introduce 5G Standalone technology by the end of 2030.
The requirements for national roaming, priority communications and European-based network and cybersecurity operations centres also make resilience and security integral parts of Lithuania's spectrum licensing framework.
With authorization periods extending into 2042, the 2026 auction establishes a long-term framework for investment while setting measurable targets for network performance, geographic availability and next-generation mobile technology throughout Lithuania.
Full spectrum allocation details for Lithuania are available here: https://www.spectrum-tracker.com/Lithuania