El Salvador has invited existing mobile operators and potential new market entrants to participate in its upcoming spectrum auction.
Telecoms regulator Siget has reportedly asked interested companies to submit bids between 19 August and 13 September. A…
El Salvador has invited existing mobile operators and potential new market entrants to participate in its upcoming spectrum auction.
Telecoms regulator Siget has reportedly asked interested companies to submit bids between 19 August and 13 September. A total 40 MHz of spectrum is available, specifically 20 MHz in the 1.855 GHz to 1.935 GHz band and 20M Hz in the 1.765 GHz to 2.165 GHz band.
In a presentation on its website, Siget said the auction is designed to make room for new investors in the mobile sector, boost development and competition, and increase broadband internet penetration.
El Salvador currently has five mobile operators: Millicom’s Tigo, America Movil’s Claro,Telefonica’s Movistar, Digistar and Red.
The regulator said the number of mobile phone lines in El Salvador has grown steadily in recent years, topping 8.6 million in 2012, equivalent to a penetration rate of almost 130%.
However, the country’s internet penetration late remains low, with just 16.8% of urban households and 2% of rural households having access in 2011.
