ICT tender dates to watch in January

In January, spectrum concession processes are set to conclude in several Latin American countries, paving the way for 5G development in new markets.

BNamericas provides an overview of important dates regarding auctions and related processes.

Comments on a draft regulation by Peru’s transport and communications ministry to assign 5G spectrum directly may be submitted through January 6.

January 6 will also be the last day to buy the terms and conditions for Venezuela’s spectrum auction. Regulator Conatel will offer five spectrum blocks corresponding to the 900MHz, 3500MHz, 700MHz, 2500MHz and 1800MHz bands.

Prequalification certificates will be delivered on January 24, and the auction rounds will begin on January 29 on the Caracas stock exchange.

Companies prequalified for Costa Rica’s spectrum tender must notify regulator Sutel if they want to continue in the process by January 7. Sutel will award spectrum in the 700MHz, 2300MHz, 3500MHz, 26GHz and 28GHz bands.

Phase one, involving regional spectrum, will take place on January 23 and phase two, which will allow for regional network deployment, is scheduled for January 24.

The definitive fate of Mexico’s spectrum tender should also become clear in coming weeks. Although regulator IFT approved the process earlier in December, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that it will be cancelled “in the next two weeks.”

IFT planned to award 2400MHz of spectrum in different bands in January, but the government wants the process to advance only after a new telecoms regulator has been established. 

Congress recently approved the elimination of IFT and other autonomous agencies.

Meanwhile, a public consultation on a spectrum auction for the 700MHz band initiated by Brazilian regulator Anatel will end on January 31.

The spectrum, auctioned in 2021 in the 5G bidding process, was made available again after one of the winners relinquished the rights.