Delayed WiMAX auction begins

Colombia’s Communications Ministry has confirmed that its auction of 3.5GHz of spectrum for wireless broadband (WiMAX) services will go ahead this week, having been postponed from 14 July. According to BNamericas, ministry officials will announce more details on the number of applications later this week. Bids will be studied and winners announced in the coming weeks, a spokesperson added. Two blocks of spectrum in each of the country’s 32 departments are being sold, with up to five companies being granted permission to operate in each of the departments. Authorities expect licences for heavily populated areas, such as Bogotá or Cordoba, to create most interest.