Countries in the Americas are preparing for the implementation of 5G services. Cullen International’s latest research details several developments in the region, including on 5G action plans and the preparation of 5G spectrum awards.

In November 2022, the Costa Rican Telecommunications Ministry and the regulator decided to recover spectrum from telecommunications operators that is currently not being used or is not being efficiently used. The state-owned operator, ICE, agreed to return 125 MHz of unused 3.5 GHz spectrum . This spectrum is intended to be included in the planned 2023 award for mobile services including 5G.

The USA is consulting on the repurposing of up to 550 MHz in the 12.7–13.25 GHz band for next-generation wireless services, including for 5G and 6G.

Colombia and Argentina also continued to progress the adoption of 5G services. Colombia published an action plan to award 5G spectrum, inviting operators to express interest in the 700 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz spectrum bands.  InJanuary 2023, the Colombian government approved the first annual update to its spectrum management master plan for 2022–2026. Argentina allocated the 3.5 GHz band to fixed and mobile services, while approving a regulation that applies specifically to 5G services, including the applicable spectrum fees.

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