3.3—4.2 GHz benchmark: Colombia concludes assignment

The ministry of ICT assigned 80 MHz each to four mobile network operators: WOM, Movistar-Tigo, Telecall and Claro. They plan to start using it for 5G in 2024.

This was part of a multi-band auction in which 3.5 GHz was the only band where no spectrum was left unsold.

By assigning 320 MHz, Colombia is putting itself at the more generous end of the spectrum (ha ha). According to our recently updated 3.3—4.2 GHz benchmark, only 37 per cent of administrations globally have assigned or plan to assign 300—400 MHz.

Of the others, 49 per cent have assigned or plan to assign less than that. Only a handful have offered or plan to offer more.

However, when compared to its neighbours, the amount of spectrum assigned by Colombia is fairly typical. Many administrations in the Americas have assigned or plan to assign a similar amount (see table below—Colombia is showing as planned but has now been assigned, we promise).

Our 3.3—4.2 GHz benchmark, which has just been updated, provides the bigger picture on assignments in this range. Subscribers to the Spectrum Research Service can access it here.