At a Glance: The winners of El Salvador's 4G tender

Tigo, a unit of Luxembourg-based Millicom, and América Móvil’s Claro snapped up 75% of the mobile spectrum on sale by El Salvador's telecoms regulator Siget.

Only these two carriers registered for the tender, which occurred online this week. The watchdog, however, did not reveal the amount it raised.

According to legislation, Siget is entitled to 10% of the money collected.

Twelve lots of 2x5MHz were on offer comprising 90MHz in the 1,710-1,755MHz/2,110-2,155MHZ (AWS) range and 30MHz in the 1,755-1,770MHz/2,155-2,170MHz (Extended AWS) band.

The reserve price for each block of 2x5MHz was US$6.25mn.

However, only nine of them, totaling 90MHz of the 120MHz of spectrum offered, were awarded. Tigo acquired 50MHz (comprising five lots) and Claro 40MHz (four lots).

The spectrum will be used by carriers to beef up and expand 4G coverage in the country. El Salvador has not yet disclosed any 5G plans.

According to the latest Siget numbers, El Salvador had 9.63mn mobile lines in operation at the end of 2016. Brazil-based consultancy Teleco said El Salvador ended 2018 with 9.43mn lines in service.

The market is dominated by Claro and Tigo.

In September, El Salvador’s competition authority barred yet again America Movil’s acquisition of Telefónica’s business in the country for not having provided all the required information.