Operators will have 30 days to pay for the spectrum
Mexico telecoms regulator IFT confirmed that as part of a recently completed spectrum auction, local mobile operator Telcel, owned by America Movil, will pay 2.1 billion pesos ($118 million) for mobile spectrum in the AWS-1 and AWS-3 (1.7/2.1 GHz) bands. The regulator also said AT&T will have to pay 1.03 billion pesos for its recently acquired spectrum.
Telcel obtained six blocks of 5-megahertz spectrum licenses, with four of the blocks in the AWS-3 band and other two blocks in the AWS-1 band. Meanwhile, AT&T acquired two blocks of spectrum in the AWS-1 band. IFT said certain blocks of spectrum in the AWS-3 band were not assigned during the auction.
The regulator also said winning operators have 30 days to pay for the recently obtained licenses.
Regulator OKs Telecom Italia’s Argentine operation sale
In other Latin America news, Argentina telecom regulator Enacom approved the sale of Telecom Italia’s controlling stake in local operator Telecom Argentina to investment company Fintech.
In November 2013, Telecom Italia agreed to sell its 68% stake in Sofora, Telecom Argentina’s holding company, to investment firm Fintech for $960 million. However, the operation had not been concluded due to regulatory objections made during the previous government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
In October 2015, the previous telecom regulator blocked the acquisition, arguing Fintech lacked the technical experience to manage a telecom firm.
Enacom also approved local media giant Grupo Clarin’s $178 million purchase of Nextel Argentina from NII Holdings. In September 2015, Grupo Clarin acquired 49% of Nextel Argentina and a call option for the remaining 51% of the equity. In January 2016, Grupo Clarin said it had completed the acquisition via its cable TV unit Cablevision.
