Paraguay’s National Telecommunications Council (Consejo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, Conatel) has unveiled formal plans to introduce 700MHz spectrum via a tender later this year.
In the first instance, the watchdog is inviting comments and suggestions from interested parties until 16 August, with a view to staging a ‘simultaneous upward auction’ before end-2017. Teresita Palacios, president of Conatel, noted that winning bidders will be expected to extend services to underserved rural areas, adding: ‘We also open a window for those who want to invest in our country or enter as a new operator.’ Palacios expects the auction to generate around USD100 million for state coffers.