Colombia issues final resolution for 5G auction

Colombia’s ICT ministry (Mintic) issued the final resolution for the spectrum auction in the 700MHz, 1900MHz, extended AWS, 2500MHz and 3500MHz bands.

The ministry adjusted the resolution in line with comments by industry and commerce department SIC and 20 interested parties.

SIC also asked for differential measures for Claro, taking into account its leadership position in the market. In addition, it requested that the rule related to the maximum amount of spectrum a temporary union could access within the auction be maintained, as well as adjusting the reserve value of the 80MHz blocks in the 3500MHz band based on the number of filters for satellite stations that must be acquired by assignees of spectrum permits, among others.

According to Mintic, the auction has been designed in blocks to avoid a monopoly and a single winner.

In the 3500MHz band, which will be used for 5G, each of the four available 80MHz blocks has a reserve value of 318bn pesos (US$75mn).

The resolution can be seen here.

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Comments on the draft decree to regulate the single procedure for telecoms infrastructure deployment will be received through October 27.

Documents can be accessed here and comments be sent via proyectos.normativos.dicom@mintic.gov.co.

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The board of Argentine regulator Enacom approved three resolutions whose main objectives are combatting cell phone theft and reducing the risk of fraud.

One resolution relates to blocking devices linked to reports of theft or loss and the identification of irregular IMEIs, including devices that have been stolen before arriving at the market.

In addition, an agreement with GSMA was ratified to perform IMEI checks via the regulator's website and request Enacom's technical assistance for security operations.

The board also approved the reduction of telephony areas from 2901 to 300.

Connectivity projects involving 11bn pesos (US$31.4mn) and a 90bn-peso expansion of a connectivity program for low-income neighborhoods also got the green light.

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Dominican Republic regulator Indotel and the public administration ministry signed a cooperation agreement for training on regulatory improvement.

Under the agreement, public entities will receive training to help strengthen effectiveness and transparency in public management.

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Paraguay's ICT ministry will hold a public hearing on the national open data policy on November 7. The hearing will take place in congress' central archive and interested parties must register here. 

Suggestions may be submitted after the hearing through November 24.

The draft is available here.