Not Enough Mobile Spectrum in Latin America

None of the Latin American countries have reached 50 percent of the 1300 MHz of 3G and 4G mobile spectrum suggested by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for 2015.

In Latin America, only four countries in the region have allocated over 30 percent of the ITU’s suggestion for 2015: Argentina (31 percent), Brazil (41.7 percent), Chile (35.8 percent) and Nicaragua (32.3 percent), with all four having allocated the 700 MHz band.

Also, three markets stand below the 20 percent spectrum target suggested: El Salvador (16 percent), Guatemala (16.2 percent) and Panama (16.9 percent). These countries are yet to announce a date for their next spectrum licensing process. The remaining Latin American countries lie below the 30 percent compliance level but over 20 percent.  

Total spectrum requirements for 2020

	Total spectrum requirements for 3G	Total spectrum requirements 4G	Total spectrum requirements
Lower user density settings	440 MHz	900 MHz	1 340 MHz
Higher user density settings	540 MHz	1 420 MHz	1 960 MHz

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) estimates that, by 2020, a range of 1340 to 1960 MHz of spectrum will have to be allocated to mobile service.