Brazil to Reschedule Auction for Unsold 5G Spectrum, Communications Minister Fábio Faria Says
Brazilian Communications Minister
Fábio Faria said on Friday that the government may schedule a new 5G spectrum
auction to sell batches that did not attract interest, mainly in the 26GHz
frequency.
Brazil telecom regulator Anatel
concluded an auction on Friday with Faria saying in a news conference that the
sale raised a total of BRL 46.79 billion ($8.44 billion or roughly Rs. 62,600
crores) including future capital expenditure commitments, making it the largest
auction of telecom assets to date in Latin America.
Telecom Italia, Telefonica, and
America Movil won most of the spectrum rights through their Brazilian
subsidiaries in the final part of the auction on Friday, but local rival Algar
Telecom also secured some.
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Speaking to reporters in Brasilia,
Faria said the government considered the auction successful, as the total value
for the sold lots was around BRL 5 billion (roughly Rs. 6,700 crores) above
minimum prices. The country now has six new telecom operators to compete with
the larger companies, the minister added.
The minister and Anatel official Abraao Albino said the 26GHz spectrum did not attract interest due to uncertainties in the business model. The government will consider a new auction to offer the unsold batches.