Mobile operators permitted to start licence renewal process

Uruguayan mobile operators seeking to renew their frequency spectrum will be required to pay the same price they originally paid when the concessions were first assigned, according to a decree issued by President Luis Lacalle Pou. The decree states that Telefonica Moviles (Movistar), Claro and state-owned Antel are now permitted to request the renewal of their mobile spectrum licences that are set to expire in the next two years. These include concessions originally awarded to Movistar in December 2002 and December 2004, to Claro in June 2004 and May 2011 and to Antel in July 2007 and November 2011. The renewals will be granted from the date of expiration of the original authorisation for the same term, and in similar technical conditions. According to reports, the government could collect up to USD54 million from the process.