Mexico’s government is to recover 68% of 190 MHz of unused frequencies in the 2.5 GHz band in a deal that ends years of litigation with spectrum holders.
Nine of 11 concession holders, including cableco MVS Multivision, agreed to waive 130 MHz of…
Mexico’s government is to recover 68% of 190 MHz of unused frequencies in the 2.5 GHz band in a deal that ends years of litigation with spectrum holders.
Nine of 11 concession holders, including cableco MVS Multivision, agreed to waive 130 MHz of these airwaves in return for a 15-year extension on licences covering the remaining 60 MHz.
According to the country’s transport and telecommunications ministry, the move means the 2.5 GHz band is “virtually free of litigation”, and the reclaimed frequencies could be put up for auction immediately.
The country is currently implementing far-reaching telecoms reforms designed to increase competition in the sector, including allowing direct foreign investment to reach 100%.
The reforms also include the creation of a beefed-up regulator called Ifetel, which will tackle the dominance of Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim’s America Movil.
President Enrique Pena Nieto presented his constitutional reform initiative to the Mexican Congress on 11 March 2013.
However, laws that would define how the reform will be implemented in the market have yet to be approved. Some Congress members expect this to happen before the end of the year.
