The last three months have seen significant regulatory developments in Latin America (LATAM), affecting in particular: spectrum auctions for mobile services, new spectrum allocations for satellite applications, and the deregulation of retail telecoms services.

Chile awarded 50 MHz of spectrum in the 3.4-3.6 GHz band to mobile network operator Claro for a total of CLP 83.5tn (US 89.2m). Mexico consulted on the draft rules to auction several spectrum bands for wireless services. Bidding is scheduled to start in May 2025. Peru launched a process to hire a specialised consultancy to define the conditions to auction the 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands for 5G.

Argentina allocated the 1980-2025 MHz (earth-to-space) and 2170-2200 MHz band (space-to-space) to mobile-satellite services, while Mexico proposed to change several allocations in the national frequency allocation plan (CNAF) which will affect satellite services.

Argentina modified the telecoms law and other decrees to deregulate the prices of retail telecoms services. In Colombia, the market for mobile outgoing voice (comprising mobile voice telephony, SMS and MMS) is no longer susceptible of being regulated ex ante after the telecoms regulator, CRC, removed it from the list of relevant mobile markets.

Other news from the region includes Brazil and Colombia agreeing on connecting fibre backbone in the Amazon rivers, and the Brazilian telecoms regulator, Anatel, defining the infractions that can be subject to a simplified sanctioning regime.

Cullen International’s latest LATAM Telecoms Update highlights policy developments over the past three months affecting the regulation of radio spectrum, wholesale networks and consumer protection in six markets in the region: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

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