NACE 61.2 – Wireless Telecommunications Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 61.2 covers the operation of wireless telecommunications networks and the provision of related services — in particular mobile communications (2G to 5G), public and government Wi-Fi as well as digital radio for public safety and emergency response organisations.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 61.2 cover?

NACE 61.2 (Wireless telecommunications activities) classifies companies that operate mobile networks, Wi-Fi infrastructure and other wireless communication services — a growing procurement area covering mobile contracts for government phones through to 5G campus networks for public institutions.

Group 61.2 within Division 61 (Telecommunications) covers the following activities:

Key public-sector contracting authorities include police and regulatory authorities, fire and rescue services, school authorities, municipal bodies as well as federal authorities with mobile field personnel.

Public Tenders: Sector NACE 61.2

Wireless telecommunications is a dynamic tendering segment — driven by the rollout of 5G, the digitalisation of public services and the rising need for mobile working in public administration.

Typical types of contract

• Mobile framework agreements: Service contracts for mobile connections, SIM cards and data tariffs for government employees
• Wi-Fi equipment for public buildings: Installation and operation of Wi-Fi infrastructure in town halls, schools, libraries and administrative buildings
• Public Wi-Fi (Free WiFi): Municipal hotspot networks for citizens in city centres, parks and public spaces
• BOS digital radio: Procurement of terminals, accessories and services for the nationwide TETRA digital radio network
• 5G campus networks: Building private 5G networks for public institutions such as ports, airports or university campuses
• Mobile data services for response vehicles: Communications equipment for police, fire and rescue vehicles

Thresholds and procedure types

Mobile framework agreements for federal or regional authorities regularly exceed the EU threshold of EUR 221,000 (central authorities) or EUR 443,000 (other contracting authorities). EU-wide tendering is typically conducted in the open procedure or as a framework agreement. For security-critical BOS procurement, special rules may apply (section 107 GWB, defence and security procurement).

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 61.2

CPV codes enable targeted searches for tenders in the area of wireless telecommunications on European and national procurement platforms.

Current tenders can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national platforms such as Germany's procurement marketplace or the Austrian federal tender portal.

Who is NACE 61.2 relevant for in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

Demand for wireless telecommunications services is broadly spread across the public sector:

• Security authorities: Police, fire and rescue services procure BOS digital radio terminals and mobile communication solutions
• School authorities and educational institutions: Comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage of schools as part of the digitalisation drive
• Municipal administrations: Mobile contracts for field staff, public citizen Wi-Fi
• Federal authorities: Central framework agreements for mobile devices and tariffs (e.g. via ITZBund)
• Public transport: Wi-Fi equipment in buses and trains as well as stations

Companies and bidders

For telecommunications providers and Wi-Fi specialists, this segment involves specific requirements:

• Frequency licence: Evidence of frequency allocation for the operation of mobile networks
• BOS approval: For digital radio for public safety and emergency response organisations, special certifications are required
• Technical references: Evidence of comparable Wi-Fi or mobile projects in the public sector
• Data protection and security requirements: GDPR compliance, where applicable BSI baseline protection certification
• Availability SLAs: Public contracting authorities frequently require high availability guarantees (99.9 % and above)

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 61.2 and public tenders

What is the difference between NACE 61.1 and NACE 61.2? NACE 61.1 covers wired services (fixed line, fibre), while NACE 61.2 covers all wireless services (mobile, Wi-Fi, satellite). In practice, many providers offer both types of services.

How are mobile contracts for authorities tendered? Mostly as multi-year framework agreements (2–4 years) with defined tariffs per user profile. Important award criteria are network coverage, tariffs, device portfolio and service levels. If total costs exceed the thresholds, EU-wide tendering is mandatory.

Does the BOS digital radio network fall under NACE 61.2? Yes — the operation of the TETRA-based BOS digital radio network (in Germany operated by BDBOS) belongs to the area of wireless telecommunications. The procurement of terminals and services is subject to public procurement law.

Can small providers participate in Wi-Fi tenders? Yes — particularly for municipal Wi-Fi projects and school equipment, there are good opportunities for specialised regional IT firms. Bidding consortia allow smaller providers to handle larger projects too.

NACE 61.2 in context: Section J and Division 61

• NACE J – Information and Communication: Parent section with all ICT activities
• NACE 61 – Telecommunications: Division with all telecommunications services
• NACE 61.1 – Wired telecommunications activities: Fixed line, fibre, broadband
• NACE 61.3 – Satellite telecommunications activities: Satellite services and infrastructure
• NACE 62.0 – Computer programming, consultancy and related activities: Software development and IT consultancy

Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.