Mexico’s Telcel is reportedly acquiring a 50MHz block of 3.5GHz spectrum from local fixed provider Axtel.
El Economista reports that the deal has already received clearance from the regulator IFT (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones) after being submitted for approval in May.
The spectrum is suitable for 5G use. In January this year Telcel, which is part of America Movil, acquired a separate 50MHz block in the same frequency band from another AM unit, the fixed provider Telmex.
However, while Telmex’s holding consisted of 3450MHz-3500MHz spectrum, the block acquired from Axtel includes 3500MHz-3550MHz frequencies. Rival operator AT&T, headquartered in the US, holds spectrum in the 3550MHz-3600MHz band.