radio spectrum regulation

The Brazilian telecoms regulator will award, at an undecided date, five regional blocks of 2x10 MHz or blocks of 2x5 MHz if the 2x10 MHz blocks go unsold. The new version of the rules restricts participation in the first phase of the award to regional operators that currently have a 3.5 GHz licence and changes the type of locations selected for coverage commitments. Winning bidders must implement policies which align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The Federal Accounting Court (TCU) must still approve the award rules.

The ICT Ministry and the National Spectrum Agency consulted on using the 900 MHz band by organised “connectivity communities” to provide local fixed internet access, with restricted mobility, in rural and remote areas.

The Chilean regulator, Subtel, allocated some mobile spectrum bands to the mobile satellite service (MSS) on a secondary basis, to allow satellite direct-to-device (D2D) communications.

The Paraguayan regulator, Conatel, published the final rules to auction 400 MHz in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band. The final rules include social obligation for new entrants, and the reserve price remains at US$500.000 per 50 MHz block. This would be Paraguay's first spectrum award in the 3-6 GHz band group.

The US telecoms regulator, the FCC, regained its ability to hold spectrum auctions. In addition, the law calls for the government to identify at least 800 MHz of spectrum to be auctioned in the 1.3–10.5 GHz spectrum range. The FCC’s auction authority had lapsed in March 2023.

The Argentinian Government approved a new satellite regulation that merges the previous regulations on geostationary (GEO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellites from 1999 and 1997, respectively. The new rules encompass the provision of facilities and services by GEO and NGSO satellites, including fixed satellite (FSS), mobile satellite (MSS) and broadcasting satellite (BSS) services; and allow Enacom to charge an annual fee on satellite facility providers.