Mexico’s Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones is preparing a significant spectrum procurement process for fixed radio links, dividing the country into 242 Unidades Básicas de Servicio. The design will determine how bidders compete for frequencies in the 10.5 and 38 GHz bands.
A smaller coverage unit than the traditional regions
The auction will use each Unidad Básica de Servicio, or UBS, as its coverage unit. The CRT says this territorial design will allow frequencies to be awarded with greater granularity than the regions traditionally used as references for telecommunications services. Those larger regions remain relevant because of existing concessions, but the bases state that they will not be the auction’s final coverage units. For businesses assessing a bid, this distinction matters: the opportunity is structured around individual UBS areas rather than a single offer covering a traditional regional market. The final award will therefore be resolved by UBS, even though the existing regional framework remains part of the reference material.
Block sizes and availability will vary by band
The amount of spectrum available will not be uniform across Mexico. In 10.5 GHz, the blocks will be 10+10 MHz or 15+15 MHz under a frequency-division duplex, or FDD, scheme, with one or two blocks available per UBS depending on the zone. In 38 GHz, each block will be 14+14 MHz, with up to eight blocks per UBS where availability permits. The bases say there is currently no spectrum available at 10.5 GHz in reference regions 4 and 5. For 38 GHz, the stated lack of availability covers regions 4, 5 and 9. The award, however, will still be made by UBS.
Adjudication comes before frequency assignment
The procedure separates the commercial outcome from the technical frequency allocation. In the first stage, adjudication will determine how many blocks each participant receives and the price associated with them. In the second, assignment, the CRT will define the specific frequency ranges. This two-stage structure means that a successful participant would first establish its entitlement to blocks and then receive the precise frequency placement through the regulator’s assignment stage. The resulting spectrum concessions will last for 20 years from the time they are granted. The price at which offers will start has not yet been disclosed, so the economic terms remain incomplete.
Interest opens before offers begin in April
The preliminary timetable begins with expressions of interest from 23 to 27 November 2026. Requests for an opinion on economic competition matters are scheduled for 30 November to 4 December, and participation certificates are due to be resolved no later than 29 March 2027. Practice sessions are planned for 7 to 9 April, followed by the offer-presentation procedure from 12 April 2027. This sequence gives prospective participants separate stages for signalling interest, addressing competition review and confirming eligibility before bidding starts. The timetable is preliminary, and the CRT has not revealed the starting price.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coverage units | 242 Unidades Básicas de Servicio |
| Spectrum bands | 10.5 GHz and 38 GHz |
| 10.5 GHz availability | One or two blocks per UBS, depending on the zone |
| 38 GHz availability | Up to eight blocks per UBS, according to availability |
| Concession term | 20 years from granting |
| Offer procedure | Scheduled to begin from 12 April 2027 |
| Starting price | Not yet revealed |
The auction’s coverage unit will be each UBS, not the traditional telecommunications regions.
WHY IT MATTERS
This procedure illustrates how a spectrum auction can combine a finely divided geographic market with a two-stage award mechanism. Participants would compete for the number and price of blocks first, while the regulator would set the specific frequency ranges later. The UBS design also means that availability and bidding prospects may differ substantially between areas and bands.
Reported from eleconomista.com.mx, 2026-09-24. The Tender Wire is published by Otnox.
