Cullen International’s newest Americas Spectrum benchmark shows that seven of 11 studied American countries have finished or are undergoing processes to redistribute radio spectrum. Most of the refarmed spectrum is in the mid­–band range (the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands) but Argentina, Costa Rica and Mexico also focused on the SMR and 900 MHz bands.

Only two countries, Argentina and Peru, have so far adopted specific implementing regulation on spectrum refarming.  Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and the USA do not have specific regulation and have not implemented any spectrum refarming process.

Cullen’s research also includes information on the awards of the refarmed spectrum, with links to Cullen International’s spectrum awards database.

The refarming, re-allocation, redistribution or reorganisation of spectrum is usually undertaken in order to improve the efficient use of spectrum, to enable the introduction of a new technology, to promote the entry of new operators, or to rebalance spectrum holdings between operators.

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