Panama’s National Public Services Authority (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Publicos, ASEP) signed Resolucion AN No. 15710-Telco earlier this month, confirming its intention to distribute spectrum in the 1427MHz-1518MHz ‘L-band’ range for mobile use within the next two years. The move follows a consultation on the country’s National Frequency Attribution Plan (Plan Nacional de Atribucion de Frecuencias, PNAF), which received feedback from mobile incumbents Digicel Panama, Telefonica Moviles Panama (Movistar), Cable & Wireless Panama and Claro Panama, as well as Millicom-backed ISP Cable Onda. Going forward, the watchdog seeks to clear the band within 24 months, although Digicel and Movistar have pushed for a briskier timeframe.
While ASEP has stopped short of recommending the band for 5G use, TeleGeography notes that a number of countries have earmarked the 1.5GHz band for fifth-generation mobile services, including the likes of France.