Colombia announces winners in 'historic' 5G data services auction (updated)
20/12/2023 21:26
(Adds detail, background)
BOGOTA, Dec 20 (Reuters) -
Colombia picked four telecommunications firms as winners of
a fifth-generation (5G) data services auction on Wednesday, in a
bid to attract investment and join regional peers like Argentina
and Mexico, where 5G is already available.
Claro, Telecall Colombia S.A.S., WOM and Union Temporal
Colombia Movil-Telefonica, a partnership between the operators
of Movistar TEF.MC and Tigo MICC.F , won concessions up for
grabs in the auction, the communications ministry said in a
statement.
The ministry added that the auction will raise more than 1.5
trillion pesos ($381 million), coming in below a prior
government estimate that the South American country's first-ever
5G auction would raise about $500 million.
"Historic! 5G is a reality for Colombians," said
Mauricio Lizcano, the information technology and communications
minister, in a post on X, adding that the roll-out would begin
next February.
($1 = 3,938.5000 Colombian pesos)
(Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra; Writing by Sarah Morland;
Editing by Chris Reese and David Alire Garcia)
((sarah.morland@thomsonreuters.com;))