radio spectrum regulation

Anatel awarded five regional 2x10 MHz licences in the 700 MHz band to regional operators Amazônia 5G, Brisanet, iez! and Unifique. The operators will pay a total of BRL 22.98m (US$4.37m) in one-off fees. Winning bidders must cover selected locations, including highway sections, in a deployment schedule with deadlines from December 2026 to December 2030.

Conatel, the Paraguayan regulator, is consulting until 15 May 2026 on draft rules to award 200 MHz in the 2.3 and 3.5 GHz bands. The draft rules are similar to those used in recent awards but put a stronger focus on social obligations and strengthening the backbone network.

Colombia consulted on a draft decree allowing MinTIC to set spectrum caps by resolution instead of decree, while also proposing new spectrum caps. The proposal would increase the mid-band spectrum cap by 40% and the low band spectrum cap by 30%.

Amazon announced it agreed to acquire Globalstar in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately US$11.57bn. The deal gives Amazon ownership of Globalstar's entire satellite fleet, ground infrastructure, and (most importantly) its portfolio of global spectrum licences. The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions and the achievement of specific satellite deployment milestones.

Each of the three Austrian mobile network operators acquired paired spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band with 3 acquiring the unpaired spectrum in the band. Magenta acquired the unpaired spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band.

The US regulator, FCC, has adopted new rules to expand broadband use in the US-specific 900 MHz spectrum band (896–901 MHz/935–940 MHz) by increasing the maximum broadband allocation from 2x3 to the entire 2x5 MHz. Same as before, licences will be granted on a county basis for a 15-year term and renewable for another ten years.