Chile Awards Additional Radio Spectrum

Local media is reporting that Telefonica Movil and BellSouth Chile won the country's beauty contest for additional 2G radio spectrum. Telefonica Movil has been allocated the 1865-1870 & 1945-1950MHz plus the 1885-1890 & 1965-1970MHz bands, having paid US$12.9. BellSouth Chile was allocated a smaller chunk in the 1890-95 & 1970-1975MHz bands, having paid US$6.1 million.

The auction has been delayed for over two years while legal action was carried out when Entel Chile was originally blocked from participating in the contest.

Both Telefonica Movil and BellSouth Chile currently operate TDMA networks in the 800 Mhz bands. BellSouth Chile is expected to deploy a new CDMA network, while Telefonica Movil will be opting for GSM.'"

Posted to the site on 22nd July 2002