Regulatory Unit of Communications Services (URSEC) Announcement
On April 5th, 2023, the Regulatory Unit of Communications Services (URSEC) opened a call based on Resolution No. 54/023. Interested parties are hereby invited to participate in the Competitive Procedure for the allocation of rights to use radio frequencies for the provision of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services, as outlined by Decree No. 425/022 from December 27th, 2022, and Decree No. 112/023 from March 30th, 2023.
The Uruguayan telecommunications regulator has initiated the registration process for operators interested in acquiring 3.5GHz frequencies, marking the commencement of the 5G auction.
To participate, documentation must be submitted via the Online Procedures platform, and inquiries should be directed to auction@ursec.gub.uy - mailto:auction@ursec.gub.uy. The deadline for submissions and inquiries is April 13.
Companies wishing to partake must either be mobile service providers in the country or have provided mobile services for at least two years within the last five years across two or more countries in the Americas or Europe.
The Uruguayan fixed internet provider, Deduced, has indicated intentions to seek legal action to challenge the requirements. Dedicated has planned to enter the mobile market and invested in a 5G core infrastructure.
The regulator will offer three 100MHz blocks in the 3.5GHz band (3,330MHz-3,400MHz and 3,600MHz-3,800MHz). One of these blocks is reserved for Antel, while the other two will be available for private firms.