Venezuela awards 5G spectrum in two phases
26 October 25
Paola Herrera
Conatel, the Venezuelan spectrum regulator, awarded 150 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band and 2x40 MHz in the 2.6 GHz band to four operators, including the state-owned operators CANTV and Movilnet. In total, Conatel collected US$332.86m in two auctions in January and September 2025.
Peru assigns and reorders the 3.5 GHz band through a special mechanism
23 September 25
Javier Morales Fhon
The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) on 19 September 2025 approved the results of an auction to assign and reorder the 3.5 GHz (3.3–3.8 GHz) band for public telecoms services using 5G or higher technology. The auction, which implemented a so-called “special mechanism” to assign the spectrum, was held on 12 September 2025. América Móvil (Claro), Entel group, Integratel (formerly Telefónica), and Viettel (Bitel) each won a 100 MHz block in the 3.3–3.7 GHz band. The 3.7–3.8 GHz block remained unassigned.
Echostar announces massive spectrum sale to AT&T and SpaceX
15 September 25
Carolina Limbatto
The US satellite provider EchoStar agreed to sell its 3.5 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum licences to AT&T, and its licences in the so-called AWS-4 band and the so-called H block of the US PCS band to SpaceX. These deals are part of EchoStar’s strategy to address regulatory concerns from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the underutilisation of its spectrum assets. Both deals require FCC regulatory approval.
Argentina allocates spectrum to verticals
15 September 25
Carolina Limbatto
The Argentinian regulator, Enacom, allocated the 2.3–2.4 GHz spectrum band to private networks and approved specific rules on licensing, use and fees for these networks. The spectrum assignments will have a ten-year term, renewable. Enacom defined two types of systems: general (including both indoor and outdoor connectivity) and indoor-only.
Paraguay awards 3.5 GHz spectrum to Claro and a new entrant
09 September 25
Paola Herrera
Conatel, the Paraguayan spectrum regulator, awarded all the national licences in the 3.5 GHz band to Claro and Nubicom, a new entrant in the market, Personal and Tigo did not participate in the auction. In total, the operators paid US$4m for 400 MHz. The winning bidders will have to deploy 400 base stations and provide internet access to 800 points in total.
United Kingdom starts the mmWave spectrum auction
05 September 25
Merilin Kasesalu
The UK telecoms regulator decided to award licences in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands which authorise the frequency deployment in the UK high-density areas. The auction will start on 16 September 2025 and involves several stages, from the application stage till the grant stage.