en.Wedoany.com Reported - Colombia's Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (MinTIC) has approved 12 licenses allowing community organizations and small internet service providers (ISPs) to use the 900 MHz band spectrum to boost network coverage in remote areas.
Of the approved licenses, nine were granted to "Connectivity Communities" (Comunidades de Conectividad) organizations, which will provide internet services in Tello and La Argentina in Huila, Ovejas in Sucre, Buenaventura in Valle del Cauca, La Merced in Caldas, Buenos Aires and Caldono in Cauca, Tuchín in Córdoba, and El Carmen de Bolívar in Bolívar. The remaining three licenses were granted to ISPs, covering 21 sites: Istmina, Quibdó, Condoto, and Tadó in Chocó; Mocoa and Sibundoy in Putumayo; Pitalito, Palestina, and La Pita in Huila; Riohacha, Uribia, Hatonuevo, and San Juan del Cesar in La Guajira; Medina, Pacho, and Simijaca in Cundinamarca; Santa Rosa in Cauca; Belén in Boyacá; Planadas in Tolima; El Paso in Cesar; and El Peñón in Antioquia.
Since mid-June, MinTIC has preliminarily processed 35 applicants for the 900 MHz band, and the 12 formally approved licenses were confirmed after compliance condition analysis. These licenses aim to provide connectivity to remote areas that currently lack service or have limited service.
The 900 MHz band is allocated through two different processes: one for community organizations to promote local connectivity solutions, and another for ISPs to expand service coverage. Both types of entities are committed to covering areas where access capacity remains limited.
Regarding retail operators, one additional matter is pending: two ISPs have submitted applications for the same public area, and both meet the requirements. The ministry will conduct a competitive process to determine the spectrum assignee.
Colombia's ICT Minister Carina Murcia stated that the 900 MHz band has strong propagation and obstacle penetration capabilities, allowing it to reach more remote and difficult-to-access locations, making it ideal for improving connectivity in rural or remote areas. She considers this another achievement the department will leave behind.
