Next Tuesday, October 24th, the national government, under the authority of the National Communications Entity (ENACOM), is set to host an auction at the Kirchner Cultural Center (CCK) for the allocation of frequency bands essential for the rollout and advancement of fifth-generation (5G) services. The anticipated outcome of this auction is a substantial revenue boost, with an estimated target of around one billion dollars.
The bidding process has already seen active participation from three prominent provider companies, all of which have duly furnished bid guarantees and have met the prequalification requirements as eligible bidders. This level of engagement indicates a highly progressed allocation mechanism.
This auction process and the base valuation have been meticulously crafted to align with international best practices in spectrum bidding, which have proven successful for various nations. Furthermore, these procedures are in harmony with past practices in the country concerning radio spectrum allocations.
The primary focus of this bidding process is the allocation of the frequency band spanning from 3,300 to 3,600 MHz, earmarked for the land mobile service with primary category status. In this auction, a total of 300 MHz will be made available for the bidding process, divided into three equal lots of 100 MHz each.
It's essential to recognize that the deployment of 5G technology is a strategic, medium, and long-term policy for the State. It hinges on a collaborative effort between the public sector and the private sector, entailing substantial investments in network infrastructure by companies and the government. This cooperation is crucial to ensuring the commercialization of 5G services that offer fair competition and affordable pricing to users. The government is actively engaged in facilitating this partnership, underscoring the significance of an effective public-private alliance to realize the potential of 5G technology.