Peru relaunches AWS-3 and 2.3 GHz spectrum tender

Peru restarted the pre-qualification process for spectrum in the 2.3GHz and AWS-3 bands, which had been suspended in February 2022.

A call to award two blocks of 15+15MHz in the 1,700-2,100MHz (AWS-3) range and for one 30MHz block in the 2.3GHz band was launched.

The newest round of consultations for the US$268mn process will end on February 28 and bids can be submitted through April 5, while the prequalified bidders will be presented on April 21.

Expectations that the previous process would attract new players have not materialized as established players Movistar, Claro and Entel were the only ones that pre-qualified. The previous process was suspended due to potential bidders’ concerns about investment and rural coverage commitments, according to investment promotion agency ProInversión.

Panama will launch on January 12 the prequalification process for companies interested in the concession Digicel abandoned when it exited the market. The tender will also involve former company assets, regulator Asep said in a statement.

The pre-qualification conditions will be presented on March 16.

Authorities aim to attract a third operator to the market, as mandated by law, to guarantee competition. Digicel left after Claro received clearance to acquire Cable & Wireless. Bnamericas