The Mexican telecom regulator, Cofetel, has unveiled details of the country’s long-awaited 3G mobile spectrum auctions. The regulator plans to offer nine blocks of spectrum in the 1850MHz-1990MHz band in eight of the country’s nine mobile operating regions. In addition, seven blocks of spectrum between 1710MHz and 2170MHz will be offered in all nine operating regions, which could give auction winners a nationwide presence.
The auction will be opened to both existing spectrum holders and potential new market entrants, though no start date was indicated.
According to Dow Jones Newswires, companies that could be interested to grab the license include Televisa — Mexico’s largest broadcaster with equity stakes in three large cable-TV companies — as well as Mexico’s smaller operators – Grupo Iusacell and Nextel Mexico.
The main idea behind the auction is provide competition to America Movil’s Telcel, which hold over a 72% share of the market and is the only operator that offers 3G services in the country.
[Via: GSMA]