It looks like the 3.5 GHz frequency band for 5G use won’t be available in the Netherlands until the end of 2023. A committee has advised minister Micky Adriaansens of Economic Affairs to delay introduction to the end of next year to allow British satellite company Inmarsat to move reception dishes from Friesland to Greece. Minister Adriaansens said he will respond before the summer recess.
Inmarsat provides emergency communication services, primarily for shipping. In 2021, an Administrative Court in the Netherlands ruled in the company’s favor, affirming the country’s legal commitments to provide these services and suspending the auction of the 3.5 GHz band. Although the quality of mobile internet services in the Netherlands is already among the best in Europe, opening up the 3.5 GHz band is mandated by the EU.