Vodafone España returns 400 MHz of 26 GHz 5G spectrum

TL;DR: Vodafone España has formally surrendered its 400 MHz licence in Spain's 26 GHz 5G band, which it won in the December 2022 auction for €8 million. The operator said the spectrum was unused, the move will not affect its commercial 5G service, and it is expected to avoid annual spectrum fees of €160,000 to €1.2 million.

Vodafone España has formally returned to the Spanish state the 400 MHz of 26 GHz spectrum it was awarded in the December 2022 mobile spectrum auction. The 26 GHz band is the millimeter wave, or mmWave, band used for high-capacity 5G in short-range environments.

Vodafone España made the decision as part of a cost-control strategy under Zegona ownership. The operator will not recover the €8 million it paid in the 2022 auction, but it expects to avoid annual holding fees estimated at €160,000 to €1.2 million and save about €3 million in future charges. The company had also declined a free transfer of 10 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band in late 2024 to avoid additional spectrum reservation fees.

Vodafone España said the return of the 26 GHz band will not affect its commercial 5G service. The operator never deployed a commercial antenna in the band, although it had run pilot tests exceeding 2 Gbps. Vodafone said its main 5G capacity remains in the 3.5/3.6 GHz band, where it holds 90 MHz and operates 2,872 active nodes, while the 700 MHz band supports broad coverage and indoor penetration.

Commercial use of 26 GHz spectrum remains limited in Spain. According to InfoAntenas data cited by Banda Ancha, there are 7 active 26 GHz sites nationwide: Telefónica operates 5 nodes in Madrid and Barcelona, and Orange operates 2 nodes in Seville. In the December 2022 auction, Telefónica bought 1,000 MHz for €20 million, while Orange and Vodafone each bought 400 MHz for €8 million under 20-year licences with an option to extend for another 20 years.