Claro, Movistar and Antel secure 3.5GHz spectrum

Two of Uruguay’s existing mobile network operators – Claro and Movistar – were the sole participants in the 5G spectrum auction held by the Regulatory Unit of Communications Services (Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones, URSEC) earlier this week. The pair each acquired 1×100MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, with America Movil-owned Claro bidding USD28.10 million and Movistar, the local unit of Spain’s Telefonica, paying USD28.05 million for the licences, while a further 1×100MHz in that band has also been reserved for state-owned incumbent Antel. Each 3.5GHz spectrum licence will be valid for 25 years. Rollout obligations include a requirement to deploy: 70 base stations within one year; at least two base stations in a minimum of ten or more departments (excluding Montevideo) within two years; and at least two base stations in each of the country’s 19 departments by the end of the third year.