Telefonica Argentina (Movistar) and Telecom Argentina (Personal) submitted applications to participate in the country’s 5G spectrum auction at the eleventh hour, joining Claro Argentina. Qualifying applicants were invited to register their interest in the process by 29 September 2023, but the process was clouded uncertainty after a legal challenge by industry body Infraestructura Digital Argentina (IDA). It is understood that the IDA withdrew its appeal at the last minute, paving the way for the auction to proceed as planned.
On 28 August 2023 the National Communications Agency (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones, ENACOM) approved the terms and conditions for a 5G spectrum auction encompassing the 3300MHz-3600MHz frequency band. A 300MHz tranche of spectrum will be auctioned in three 100MHz TDD blocks, each with a base bidding price of USD350 million, under licences permitting both mobile and fixed 5G network services. As per local press reports, the auction is now expected to take place in the first week of November.