Uruguay’s 5G spectrum auctions have concluded with the local units of Claro and Movistar each obtaining holdings in the 3.5GHz band.
Three 1×100MHz blocks were made available in the auction, which was held by regulator URSEC (Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones) earlier this week. COmmsUpdate notes that one of these was already set aside for state-owned incumbent Antel, and bidders Claro and Movistar faced no competition for the remaining two blocks.
Claro Uruguay, owned by America Movil, bid US$28.10 million for its holding, while Movistar – a unit of Telefonica – won with a slightly lower US$28.05 million. The permits are valid for 25 years, and under their terms the winning bidders are required to deploy 70 base stations within the first year.
Within the first two years, they must be operating at least two base stations in at least ten departments (with the exception of Montevideo). Within three years, this requirement will be extended to all 19 of Uruguay’s departments.
