Peru has opened a call for the allocation of the 3.5GHz frequency band for public telecommunications services using 5G or higher technology. More precisely, the call comprises frequencies in the 3300-3800MHz band.
News website BNamericas reports that the country’s transport and communications ministry (MTC) will offer the frequencies directly to operators. MTC will offer 25MHz blocks. There is to be a maximum acquisition limit of four blocks per operator or group.
However, the sale process is an interesting one. While every 100MHz package is valued at US$127 million, the price will not necessarily guide the awards process.
Instead, allocations will be made in exchange for a number of mandatory investment commitments. These are expected to include the implementation of 4G along road corridors and in areas with no mobile connectivity or with only 2G or 3G coverage.
Additional commitments include outdoor coverage in sports facilities, universities and other educational institutes and healthcare centres.
As no bids appear to be involved, it’s not clear what could constitute a winning submission. That said, it seems that the award of a block in the 3.5GHz band will be based on points obtained based on the additional commitments offered.
We will, however, find out the winners by early August. Companies interested in participating must submit expressions of interest to communications programmes and projects authority DGPPC between May 7 to June 3. Qualifiers will be decided from June 25 to July 1. The submission of envelopes with additional deployment commitments will follow. Auction results are set for August 11.
Part of the band (between 3400 and 3600MHz) is already assigned to operators Entel, Telefónica, Americatel and América Móvil for the provision of local carrier, personal communications and fixed telephony services.
In the 3600-3800MHz frequency band there are four private and public telecommunications service operators that use fixed satellite services. BNamericas says that telecommunications operators using fixed satellite services will migrate to the Ku or extended Ku band.
