Paraguay raises USD 85 mln in 700 MHz spectrum auction

Paraguayan regulator Conatel announced that its first tender for spectrum in the 700 MHz band raised a total of USD 84.5 million, slightly above the base price. Tigo (Millicom) acquired three of the seven available blocks of 2x5 MHz spectrum for USD 36 million, while Claro (America Movil) acquired two blocks for USD 24 million and Nucleo (Personal) added another two blocks for the same figure. All operators have pledged to use the spectrum to continue expanding their 4G networks in Paraguay.

In addition to the licence fees, operators will be required to invest a total of around USD 30 million in a series of social commitments, including laptops and telecentres for disadvantaged areas in parts of the country, ensuring a minimum level of coverage along designated roads and contributing to a fund aimed at limiting interference in the spectrum band and adjacent frequencies.