Argentinean operators Telefonica and Telecom Argentina (which respectively operate as Movistar and Personal) have confirmed last-minute bids to join Claro in the country’s upcoming auction of 5G spectrum.
Although regulator ENACOM (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones) approved the terms for the auction of spectrum in the 3300MHz-3600MHz frequency band on 28th August 2023, the process has hit several obstacles since, with industry body Infraestructura Digital Argentina (IDA) issuing a legal challenge against the auction.
ENACOM set a deadline of 29th September 2023 for applicants to submit their bids, but only Claro had lodged one. CommsUpdate reports that the IDA withdrew its appeal just prior to the deadline, which seemingly quelled any concerns Movistar and Personal had about bidding. The auction is now expected to proceed as scheduled, with local press indicating that bidding will take place in the first week of November.
In neighbouring Chile, regulator Subtel has announced that it intends to sell a 50MHz block of spectrum in the 3400MHz-3600MHz band in January 2024. More details will be published on 16th October, with applications open between 17th October and 7th November. Successful applicants will be able to bid between 16th and 23rd January 2024.
TeleSemana reported that the upcoming auctions will feature different terms to previous rounds of bidding, offering additional detail on the sanctions winning bidders would face if they fail to meet their deployment obligations.
