Argentina has allocated the 700-MHz spectrum it auctioned off late last year and has also awarded 3G and 4G frequencies to broadband provider Arlink.
The Secretaría de Comunicaciones (SeCom) announced late last week that it has handed airwaves in the 700 MHz band to Telefonica’s Movistar, Telecom Personal, and America Movil’s Claro.
The frequencies in question formed part of an auction that raised US$2.23 billion in November.
Arlink also took part in the process and it has now received spectrum in the 1800/1900 MHz band for 3G services, as well as 700-MHz, 1700-MHz and 2.1-GHz spectrum for 4G.
The telcos have 10 working days to pay for their licences, SeCom said. Once payment has been received, they will be permitted to start using the spectrum.
SeCom remains the overseer of Argentina’s telecoms market but its days are numbered. The country is working on the creation o f the Autoridad Federal de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (AFTIC), which will take on SeCom’s responsibilities and those of the National Communications Commission (CNC).
The presidential decree that established AFTIC as the new regulator was published in Argentina’s official gazette on 29 April, but the body has yet to take charge.
