Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones, IFT) has launched a consultation regarding its planned multi-band 5G spectrum auction. The main 5G spectrum bands scheduled for inclusion are 70MHz in the 614MHz-698MHz (600MHz) band, a 50MHz block at 3300MHz-3350MHz and 90MHz in the L-band (1427MHz-1518MHz).

In addition, the regulator is keen to gauge feedback regarding the potential inclusion of unused spectrum in a number of other bands. This includes spectrum in the 800MHz, 850MHz, 1900MHz, AWS and 2.5GHz bands, some of which was relinquished by Movistar in 2020.

The IFT explains: ‘The design of this new tender will seek to assign the greatest amount of spectrum possible [so] that new players in the mobile market can access this resource, especially for the provision of services in neglected or underserved areas.’

The consultation process commenced on 9 January and submissions are open until 3 February 2023.