radio spectrum regulation

The Canadian Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) published auction rules to award 207 regional licences in the 1900 MHz (PCS), 2.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 3.8 GHz bands. The auction is scheduled for January 2026.

Indotel, the Dominican Republic regulator, announced in September 2025 the draft rules to award more than 1,300 MHz of spectrum in a multi-band auction.

The Brazilian regulator, Anatel, reviewed relevant markets and decided to deregulate the leased lines, wholesale access to fixed copper networks and high-capacity data transport and transmission markets, reducing regulated markets to four. Operators Algar, Claro (América Móvil), Ligga, Oi, Telefônica and TIM were designated as SMP operators in different markets and in varying geographic scopes.

Conatel, the Venezuelan spectrum regulator, awarded 150 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band and 2x40 MHz in the 2.6 GHz band to four operators, including the state-owned operators CANTV and Movilnet. In total, Conatel collected US$332.86m in two auctions in January and September 2025.

The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) on 19 September 2025 approved the results of an auction to assign and reorder the 3.5 GHz (3.3–3.8 GHz) band for public telecoms services using 5G or higher technology. The auction, which implemented a so-called “special mechanism” to assign the spectrum, was held on 12 September 2025. América Móvil (Claro), Entel group, Integratel (formerly Telefónica), and Viettel (Bitel) each won a 100 MHz block in the 3.3–3.7 GHz band. The 3.7–3.8 GHz block remained unassigned.

The US satellite provider EchoStar agreed to sell its 3.5 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum licences to AT&T, and its licences in the so-called AWS-4 band and the so-called H block of the US PCS band to SpaceX. These deals are part of EchoStar’s strategy to address regulatory concerns from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the underutilisation of its spectrum assets. Both deals require FCC regulatory approval.