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Dialogic evaluated the 'Nota Frequentiebeleid 2016' (NFB), the 'Nota Mobiele Communicatie 2019' (NMC), the Multibandveiling (2020), and the 3.5 GHz veiling (2024) on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. We collaborated with Professor Jacob Goeree, an expert in the field of auctions.
These two notes and auctions are closely interlinked. The Nota Frequentiebeleid outlines how the Dutch government intends to manage frequency policy in the long term. The focus is on ensuring efficient markets while safeguarding public interests. Similarly, the Nota Mobiele Communicatie provides clear guidelines for future auctions of spectrum for mobile communication.
**Nota Frequentiebeleid 2016 (NFB)**
The NFB 2016 aims to contribute to the well-being in the Netherlands by ensuring efficient markets and safeguarding public interests. It has been a largely effective instrument, providing policymakers with relevant public values and anchoring the spirit of the times. Not having the NFB 2016 would have made policy in the Netherlands less predictable.
**Nota Mobiele Communicatie 2019 (NMC)**
The NMC aims to maintain the Netherlands' position in telecommunication infrastructure by enhancing investment certainty for parties. Despite not achieving all interim goals, the NMC 2019 partially succeeded in providing guidelines for auctions and market predictability.
**Multibandveiling 2020**
The Multibandveiling aligned well with the NMC 2019 and NFB 2016 goals, but its objectives were not clearly operationalized. Our assessment indicates that economic efficiency was achieved in the 1,400 MHz band, but challenges were faced with other bands.
**3.5 GHz-veiling 2024**
The goals of this veiling were aligned with NMC 2019 and NFB 2016. However, due to poor operationalization, it was challenging to objectively assess goal achievement. Our conclusions suggest that measures may be needed to enhance competition and efficiency in future auctions.
**Recommendations**
Based on our evaluation, we recommend reconsidering the timeframe for future NFB implementation and refining the policy theory. A future NFB should focus on strategic autonomy, economic security, and defence outcomes. Defining SMART auction objectives and assessing auction functioning and associated risks are essential for future spectrum auctions.
