Looking to increase operators’ network capacity, Venezuelan telecom regulator Conatel has assigned additional spectrum to the state-run Movilnet, to Telefónica subsidiary Movistar and to the domestically-owned Digicel in the 1.8 GHz and 1.9 GHz bands. Conatel noted that the additional spectrum is aimed at improving service quality for both voice and mobile data.
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As noted by syndication partner Signals Telecom News, Digicel owns 30 megahertz, while Móvilnet and Movistar have 20 megahertz each. Indeed, last week Movistar announced that it is increasing its infrastructure investment in 2012 to U.S.$535 million (Bs.2.300 million) and that it has also been awarded 20 megahertz in the 1900 MHz spectrum band. Movistar is expanding capacity of its so-called 3G + network (HSDPA+), installing 230 new cells and enlarging 860 base stations nationwide.
Last June, it was reported that these three incumbents will participate in a tender for three blocks of mobile spectrum in the 1710 MHz-2170 MHz mobile frequency bands released by the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel).
The government said it has set the base price for 1 megahertz of spectrum at $187,000 (VEF803,000) per year.
Venezuela had roughly 12.1 million of Internet users, 30.3 million mobile numbers and 7.4 million fixed users at the end of the second quarter. Of the total mobile subscribers, 65.20% are GSM and 34.80% are CDMA. RIM’s BlackBerry accounts for 4.5 million of the total mobile plans.
