December 2022

This report, commissioned by Ericsson, discusses how spectrum award processes – including the pricing of spectrum – can be designed to maximise digital connectivity and promote economic growth in Latin America, as well as to help achieve sustainability targets. There remain many Latin American citizens without access to Internet connectivity (fixed or mobile), preventing them from accessing the Internet’s vast information resources and the corresponding benefits. In light of this, policymakers in Latin American countries have set ambitious fibre and/or 5G deployment targets. However, achieving these targets will require significant investment from operators at a time when they face major financial pressures due to stagnating revenues and increasing capital expenditure. Many spectrum awards are set to occur in Latin America in the coming years, providing an opportunity for policymakers to set spectrum licence terms which are aligned with their connectivity objectives. In this report, we discuss best practices for spectrum award processes and spectrum pricing which, if followed, will enable policymakers to increase the likelihood of achieving their connectivity and sustainability objectives.