
Chile's telecommunications regulator Subtel has announced that all holders of concessions in the 3.5GHz band will be prohibited from using the corresponding spectrum until it completes in-depth tests on its possible deployment for 5G services. In a statement, the watchdog said it took the decision after detecting irregular or insufficient usage of spectrum concessions in a total of 60 localities throughout the country.
The operators Entel, Claro, Movistar, VTR and GTD (Telsur) all secured concessions to use spectrum in the 3.5GHz band between 2001 and 2005 but the regulator now wants to ensure it’s allocated efficiently for the benefit of all Chileans, said Subtel head Pamela Gidi.