radio spectrum regulation

The Dominican Republic completed its 2026 multi-band spectrum auction, awarding 240 MHz to new entrant Viettel and 20 MHz to Claro for a combined US$119.5m. Viettel won spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands, while Claro acquired an additional 2x10 MHz in the 700 MHz band. The AWS spectrum offered did not receive bids.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the US Department of Commerce agency that manages federal spectrum, announced that the Trump Administration has cleared the last of a package of federal agency plans to study the 4.4–4.94 GHz band for possible reallocation to full-power commercial licensed use. With this approval, all four bands in the Administration's spectrum pipeline – 1675–1695 MHz, 2.69–2.9 GHz, 4.4–4.94 GHz and 7.125–7.4 GHz – are now simultaneously advancing to the formal engineering-study stage.

Colombia established a permanent framework to bring remaining IMT spectrum back to market through recurring auctions at intervals of no more than two years. With 285 MHz of IMT spectrum currently unassigned, the new rules introduce a simple clock auction as the standard mechanism.

Paraguay awarded nationwide mobile broadband licences to Millicom Tigo (Telecel) and Personal (Nucleo) following its 2026 spectrum auction. Núcleo received the 3.7–3.8 GHz band while Telecel was assigned the 2.3–2.4 GHz band. Each operator will provide mobile, internet access and data transmission services using 100 MHz.

Colombia adopted a new regulatory framework which enables shared access to IMT spectrum in underserved areas. The new framework allows IMT spectrum licensees to share assigned spectrum with third parties, subject to prior approval from the ICT Ministry. It also provides for a structured mechanism to improve spectrum efficiency and expand mobile broadband connectivity.

The US telecoms regulator, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), voted to adopt the “Space Modernization for the 21st Century” Report and Order. This rulemaking revoked the FCC’s legacy satellite and earth station rules to create a new regime that will better align FCC rules with the nature of today’s commercial space economy. However, the rules maintain the FCC’s oversight of core regulatory concerns, such as spectrum management, harmful interference, national security, and orbital debris.