Movistar and C&W secure extra 10MHz of spectrum.(PANAMA)(Cable & Wireless Panama)(Brief article)

Latin America Telecom, February, 2008

Panama's public utilities authority, ASEP, has granted the country's two mobile operators an additional 10MHz each in the 1900MHz band, according to a source within the regulator. Movistar paid US$18.7 million for the additional spectrum, while Cable & Wireless Panama paid US$18.9 million. The two companies requested additional spectrum to allow them to develop new technologies, ahead of the arrival of new competitors expected to be licensed in April.

Irish-owned Caribbean mobile group Digicel, Luxembourg-based Millicom International Cellular, and Mexico's America Movil have prequalified to bid in the auction.