Colombia Introduces 5G Technology Through Telecommunications Services Auction

Colombia is taking a significant step towards the future of telecommunications with the introduction of a 5G data services auction. The country aims to attract investments and join regional partners such as Argentina and Mexico, where 5G technology is already available. Four telecommunications companies have emerged as winners of the auction: Claro, Telecal Colombia S.A.S., WOM, and Unión Temporal Colombia Movil-Telefonica.

The Ministry of Communications of Colombia has announced that the auction is expected to generate over 1.5 trillion pesos ($381 million). This amount is lower than the government’s initial estimated value of $500 million, which was related to the country’s first-ever 5G auction. Mauricio Lizcano, the Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, expressed his enthusiasm in a statement, describing this step as “historic” and confirming that the implementation of 5G will begin in February.

According to Lizcano, it is predicted that investments in 5G infrastructure in Colombia over the next decade will amount to approximately 28 trillion pesos (around $7.11 billion). The frequencies provided as part of the auction include a wide range, including the 700 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2500 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands, as well as other extended AWS bands.

Colombia has a significant base of mobile phone subscribers, which is expected to reach around 80 million by the end of 2022. The majority of these subscribers have contracts with Claro, which is owned by América Móvil. Other important operators in the Colombian telecommunications market include Colombia Telecomunicaciones, a local unit of Spanish Telefónica, Tigo, and WOM, which is owned by Icelandic billionaire Thor Bjorgolfsson. Additionally, Brazilian company Telecal plans to enter the Colombian market through this auction.

The successful completion of the 5G auction in Colombia places the country among the leading participants in the race for advanced telecommunications services. This development is expected to contribute to economic growth and enable Colombians to experience the transformative power of 5G technology.

FAQ:
What is 5G technology?
5G technology is the fifth generation of the communication standard for wireless networks. It is the successor to 4G LTE technology and offers higher data throughput, lower latency, and increased network capacity, enabling faster and more reliable internet connections.

What are the benefits of implementing 5G technology?
The introduction of 5G technology brings a range of benefits, such as faster downloading and uploading of data, lower latency, the ability to handle a larger number of simultaneous connections, and increased network reliability. In addition, 5G can have a significant impact on the development of various sectors, such as healthcare, transportation, industry, and agriculture.

Source:
Colombian Ministry of Communications (www.mincomunicaciones.gov.co)

The source of the article is from the blog mgz.com.tw