Guatemala’s regulator SIT (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones) is reviewing several requests for spectrum licences in the 700MHz band.
BNAmericas reports that the local units of Claro and Tigo are each interested in licensing several blocks in the band, while manufacturing company Fabrigas has also requested six blocks of 700MHz spectrum.
Meanwhile Prensa Libre has reported SIT chief Marco Antonio Baten Ruiz as indicating that an auction will be scheduled in response to the demand for 700MHz spectrum. The band is suitable for both 4G and 5G services and so is expected to attract further bidders – interested parties have until 21st July to submit applications, with Ruiz suggesting that an auction could take place in September or October and generate as much as US$120 million.
TeleGeography reports that Guatemala has been eyeing a 700MHz auction since at least 2016, but the process has been stalled by changes in government as well as overhauls to regulatory frameworks. If the auction takes place on the projected date, it will be Guatemala’s second this year following the 2nd June sale of 2.5GHz-2.6GHz frequencies. This round of bidding raised a total of US$48.947 million, with Claro spending US$16.711 million and Tigo of US$32.236 million.
