Mexico Preps for 600MHz Auction for Mobile Broadband Use
Mexico’s wholesale mobile network operator secures bankruptcy protection
Mexico’s mobile is developing steadily, with a slight increase in the number of subscribers in 2020, year-on-year. Stronger growth is anticipated for 2021 as subscribers continue to respond to demands resulting from various measures introduced to combat the pandemic.
The slow start of 5G in the country has not been helped by the disinterest among players to secure spectrum. At an auction of unused spectrum held in October 2021 only two operators made bids, and the state raised only MXN1.35 billion. This was an indication of operator hostility to the high price which the state has demanded for spectrum, as well as high annual fees.
In a bid to develop the 5G sector, the regulator recently proposed that the cost of 5G-suitable spectrum should be reduced, and that 800MHz and 850MHz concessions should be divided up into 65 zones, thereby encouraging smaller-scale investment. This was aimed at securing the involvement of smaller operators with tighrter budgets.
These smaller operators have largely benefitted from the wholesale network (using spectrum in the 700MHz) which has been managed by the ALTAN consortium since 2018. The government estimated that the shared network could reduce consumer prices by 12% to 16%. The consortium was obliged to provide 70% population coverage by January 2021 (a target which it missed), and about 92% by January 2024.
However, ALTAN ran into financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy protection in mid-2021. This was granted in late 2021, which has enabled the company to renegotiate its debts.
Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned
- América Móvil (Telcel, Telmex)
- Megacable
- Cablemás
- Cablevisión
- Grupo Televisa
- Maxcom
- Sistemas Interactivos de Telecomunicaciones (SIT)
- Axtel
- Megafón
- InterCable
- CFE
- AT&T Mexico (Iusacell, Nextel Mexico)
- Movistar (Telefónica Mexico)
- Globalstar
- Unefón
- Virgin Mobile
- Weex
- Alestra
- Maxcom
- Marcatel
