Colombia has successfully concluded an auction for fifth-generation (5G) data services, granting licenses to four telecommunications companies in order to attract investments and catch up with regional competitors. The auction winners are Claro, Telecall Colombia S.A.S., WOM, and Union Temporal Colombia Movil-Telefonica, a partnership between Movistar and Tigo. This step marks significant progress in the implementation of 5G technology in Colombia, joining countries like Argentina and Mexico that have already deployed this advanced network. Mauricio Lizcano, the Colombian Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, expressed satisfaction, stating that the rollout of 5G services will begin in February of next year.
The auction generated over 1.5 trillion pesos ($381 million), slightly below the government’s initial estimated value of $500 million. Nevertheless, this represents a substantial investment that puts Colombia on the path of future 5G telecommunications development. Lizcano predicts that the 5G sector in the country will witness a total investment of approximately 28 trillion pesos ($7.11 billion) within the next decade.
The auction included frequencies in the 700 MHz, 1,900 MHz, 2,500 MHz, 3,500 MHz, and other extended AWS frequency bands. These frequency bands are essential for delivering high-speed and reliable 5G services to consumers across the country.
Currently, Colombia has around 80 million mobile phone subscribers, with Claro, a subsidiary of America Movil, being the dominant player. Other well-known players include Colombia Telecomunicaciones, a local unit of Spanish Telefónica, Tigo, and WOM, which is owned by Icelandic billionaire Thor Bjorgolfsson. Telecall from Brazil is also entering the Colombian market through this auction, further intensifying competition in the telecommunications sector.
By adopting 5G technology, Colombia aims to improve its communication infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, and enhance communication services for its population. The successful auction signifies a new era of innovation and progress in the country’s telecommunications sector, positioning Colombia in a competitive role in the global 5G race.
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The source of the article is from the blog macholevante.com