Convergencia Research, Consultoría especializada en Latinoamérica y Caribe
Tuesday, January 26, 2021

IFT to tender 41 blocks in 800 Mhz, AWS, PCS and 2.5 GHz

The Plenary of the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT, in Spanish) approved the Call and Bases for the IFT-10 Public Tender, which comprises 41 blocks of radioelectric spectrum for mobile telephone and internet services. These are distributed as follows: Block A1 (814-824 MHz / 859-869 MHz), with coverage for cell regions 1 to 4; Blocks A5.01-A9.05 (37 Blocks, 814-824 MHz / 859-869 MHz), with coverage by Basic Service Area (ABS) in Cellular Regions 5 to 9; Block B1 (1755-1760 MHz / 2155-2160 MHz), with national coverage; Block C1 (2500-2530 MHz / 2620-2650 MHz), with coverage in various localities and municipalities of the country; and Block D1 (1910-1915 MHz / 1990-1995 MHz) with national coverage.

In summary, the IFT will compete 38 blocks in the 800 MHz band, divided between a large regional block for the northern states of Mexico and another 37 blocks distributed between states and municipalities in the rest of the country (through the so-called Basic Areas of Service - ABS). On the other hand, national blocks, of 10 MHz each, will be tendered in the PCS and AWS bands; and segments of 60 MHz in 2.5 Ghz for geographic areas defined in about 23 states.

The process includes coverage obligations and in the case of AWS and PCS bands, specific obligations for the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz, which present the greatest coverage needs. These must be fulfilled by the successful bidder within the two years following the delivery of the concession title.

The submission of bids will be made under a mechanism of Simultaneous Multi-Round Ascending auction (known as SMRA), in a maximum of 2 contests; in the first, all the blocks will be offered with a limit of spectrum accumulation destined to assigned mobile services and to be assigned of 26.5%. If spectrum remains available, a second contest will be held with an accumulation limit of 30%.

Regarding the deadlines of the process, the first stage begins next February 15, until June 11, and consists of expression of interest, formulation of questions and answers on the bases, delivery of information and documentation of participants to the IFT. Then, between September 10 and September 24 will be the evaluation, ruling and issuance of certificates of participation. The third stage begins on September 27 and will end on the business day following the conclusion of the bid submission procedure (PPO), and will consist of practice sessions and the formal submission of bids. The fourth phase will begin within 20 business days after the publication of the results of the PPO and will conclude with the publication on the Internet portal of the Institute of the report presented by the social witness, and entails the issuance of a verdict, payment of consideration and granting of concession titles.

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