Movistar, Movilnet Win Mobile Spectrum in 1900MHz Band

Venezuelan mobile operators Movistar and Movilnet have won spectrum blocks in the 1900MHz band, telecoms regulator Conatel said in a statement.

The spectrum is being awarded to meet growing demand for mobile telephony and pledges on quality of service, coverage and rates, as well as the schedule for network deployment were the main criteria for selecting the winners.

Movilnet, a unit of local fixed line operator Cantv, obtained 467 points in the evaluation and won spectrum block B-B, while Movistar, owned by Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica, scored 439 points and will obtain spectrum block A-A.

Another operator, Digitel, was qualified to participate in the auction but did not win any spectrum.

Conatel plans to continue auctioning mobile spectrum in the short term.

Movistar and Movilnet must make a 50% down payment on the license fee on November 5 and Conatel expects to formally sign the spectrum licenses on November 28.

Posted to the site on 24th October 2007