MinTIC to kick off 4G auction in June

The Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (MinTIC) has announced plans for the sale of seven blocks of spectrum for 4G services. The auction, which is set to launch on 26 June 2013 will include frequencies in the 2100MHz, 1900MHz and 2500MHz bands. Winning operators will be obliged to provide coverage in small municipalities as well as profitable markets; 50% of municipalities must be covered by July 2014, increasing to all areas by 2018. Further, providers must offer mobile broadband plans including tablets or computers for students and teachers. In terms of airwaves, there is a single 5MHz block of 1900MHz spectrum on offer, three licences for 2×15MHz of paired spectrum in the 2100MHz range and four 2500MHz permissions, consisting of three 2×15MHz blocks of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) spectrum and a single 40MHz Time Division Duplex (TDD) concession. One each of the 2100MHz and 2500MHz licences has been reserved for new players. New entrants to the market will be subject to less stringent rollout obligations.