Colombia’s Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (Ministerio de Tecnologias de la Informacion y las Comunicaciones, MinTIC) has confirmed that it has issued all of the 2.5GHz spectrum permits that were won in December 2019’s multi-band spectrum auction. ICT Minister Karen Abudinen commented: ‘Our objective is to provide the same opportunities to all citizens. It does not matter if they are in Bogota or in Choco, they should have the same opportunities to enjoy technology.’
The frequencies in question were won by Claro Colombia and Partners, a bidding vehicle for Novator Partners, the Icelandic-owned, London-based owner of Chilean upstart operator WOM. Partners acquired 20MHz in the 700MHz band and 30MHz in the 2500MHz band, but later asked for its 2.5GHz bid to be retracted after an administrative gaffe saw it accidentally enter a bid ten times higher than the going rate.
In related news, Claro Colombia has announced that it has activated the 2.5GHz band in all state capitals and more than 800 other municipalities. In addition, the cellco notes that its original 2.6GHz network covers 1,016 municipalities, while its LTE-A service is available in 779 locations. Claro won 20MHz in the 700MHz band and 30MHz in the 2500MHz band in December’s spectrum auction.