Two telecoms operators have submitted applications to take part in a 4G spectrum allocation procedure in Paraguay that is due to take place before the end of the month.
The country’s telecom regulator, the Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Conatel) opened envelopes from America Movil’s Claro and Telecel, which operates under the Tigo brand, on Thursday.
It said it would make a decision on whether the companies qualify to take part in the contest within five days, noting that its board might meet over the weekend in order to speed up the process. There was no update from the regulator at the time of writing though.
Conatel intends to award the 1700-MHz/2.1-GHz frequencies on 17-21 December.
Licence winners will have eight months to launch services.
"For those of us at Conatel, this is a very important day, particularly significant because we are fulfilling a commitment to the government to bridge the digital divide and improve social inclusion," said Conatel president Teresita Palacios.
"We have done our best in the name of transparency, so that all operators can take part," she added.
Paraguay is home to four mobile network operators though. Personal and state-owned Vox are not taking part in the process.
