radio spectrum regulation

Paraguay awarded nationwide mobile broadband licences to Millicom Tigo (Telecel) and Personal (Nucleo) following its 2026 spectrum auction. Núcleo received the 3.7–3.8 GHz band while Telecel was assigned the 2.3–2.4 GHz band. Each operator will provide mobile, internet access and data transmission services using 100 MHz.

Colombia adopted a new regulatory framework which enables shared access to IMT spectrum in underserved areas. The new framework allows IMT spectrum licensees to share assigned spectrum with third parties, subject to prior approval from the ICT Ministry. It also provides for a structured mechanism to improve spectrum efficiency and expand mobile broadband connectivity.

The US telecoms regulator, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), voted to adopt the “Space Modernization for the 21st Century” Report and Order. This rulemaking revoked the FCC’s legacy satellite and earth station rules to create a new regime that will better align FCC rules with the nature of today’s commercial space economy. However, the rules maintain the FCC’s oversight of core regulatory concerns, such as spectrum management, harmful interference, national security, and orbital debris.

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to auction 160 MHz of Upper C-band spectrum (3.98–4.14 GHz). Together with the previously licensed Lower C-band (3.70–3.98 GHz), the measure creates a contiguous, harmonised 440 MHz block under a single licensing framework. The FCC will award 3,248 flexible-use licences on a Partial Economic Area (PEA) basis, each with a 15-year licence term. The FCC expects to complete the auction by July 2027, with commercial operations beginning between December 2030 and July 2031, depending on the market. The FCC will issue a separate proposal setting out the minimum opening bids, upfront payment requirements and bidding credit caps.

The FCC raised US$3.57bn from the re-auction of 200 AWS-3 spectrum licences, with Verizon accounting for nearly 90% of the proceeds and T-Mobile securing the largest number of licences. AT&T, SpaceX and three other bidders also acquired spectrum.

The Paraguayan regulator, Conatel, published the final rules to auction 200 MHz in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. The regulator maintained the conditions proposed during the consultation. Personal and Tigo were selected to participate in the auction, having submitted valid bids.