(Telecompaper) Five telecommunications operators have made preliminary bids totalling EUR 2.48 billion in the first round of Italy's national 5G spectrum auction, according to a statement from the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE). Telecom Italia (TIM), Fastweb, Vodafone Italia, Wind Tre and Iliad submitted bids for licences in the 694-790 MHz, 3.6-3.8 GHz and 26.5-27.5 GHz bands and will be allowed to increase their offers on 13 September. Under the tender's rules, new entrant Iliad had a special right acquire up to three blocks of 2x5 MHz in the 700 MHz band of the six available, for which it bid EUR 676.5 million, said the ministry.