Two Caribbean markets are set to make 700MHz spectrum available for the provision of both 4G and 5G services.
In the Dominican Republic, regulator Indotel (Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones / Dominican Telecommunications Institute) will put unused 700MHz frequencies up for auction within the next few months, with the process slated for completion by the start of 2024.
As noted by TeleGeography, these airwaves were previously put to auction in 2021 alongside 3.5GHz spectrum, but went unsold. During this round of bidding, nine 2x5MHz blocks were available. Indotel has stated that it may sell additional frequencies alongside the unsold 700MHz spectrum, saying that the government “has focused on the reorganisation of disused radio spectrum, so that it can be used to improve the coverage of the services offered by the providers in the national territory>”
“In the same sense, they have taken concrete measures, such as the closure of more than 50 stations that were operating illegally, the recovery of idle spectrum and the cleaning up of radio communication bands.”
In nearby Cuba, 700Mhz spectrum is becoming available as the country undertakes its switchover to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). As analogue signal broadcasts cease on national channels, the 700MHz band is being vacated, at least in part, with the Ministry of Communications noting that the freed-up spectrum would be used by regulator ETECSA to provide LTE connectivity.
