radio spectrum regulation

The Panamanian regulator, ASEP, revised the national frequency plan following a consultation launched in October 2024. The updated plan includes new allocations for fixed wireless access in the 3600–3800 MHz band and for IMT services in the 2.5 GHz and 3300–3600 MHz bands. ASEP reserved the latter segment for licenced mobile network operators to use in the future.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) has launched a special mechanism to assign and reorder the 3.5 GHz (3.3–3.8 GHz) band for public telecoms services using 5G or higher technology. Operators may submit expressions of interest by 10 June 2025.

The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISED) published the policy, licensing and technical framework for a new satellite service known as satellite mobile coverage service (SMCS). The policy is a first step for mobile operators to offer satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services in IMT frequency bands. ISED will analyse specific obligations related to national roaming and emergency communications at a later stage.

The Argentinian telecoms regulator, Enacom, reduced the spectrum cap for 5G bands from 200 MHz to 150 MHz. The change does not affect current spectrum holdings as all licensees are within the new cap.

ISED plans to auction 4.8 GHz in the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands. 850 MHz in the 28 GHz band and up to 850 MHz in the 26 GHz band would be granted first-come first-served through the non-competitive local licensing framework.

The United States telecoms regulator, FCC, is consulting on a bidding procedures for the AWS-3 spectrum auction. The auction includes 200 licences in the 1695–1710 MHz, 1755–1780 MHZ, and 2155–2180 MHz bands. The FCC is auctioning the spectrum pursuant to the spectrum and secure technology and innovations act of April 2024. The proceeds from the auction will fund the FCC’s national security initiative known as the “rip and replace” programme.