Market Intelligence
Telecommunications Colombia Trade Opportunities

Colombia ICT 5G and National Connectivity

On December 21, 2022, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) released its Action Plan for the Massification of 5G (5G Plan). The document outlines a ten-month process (table 1), concluding in September 2023, to determine spectrum allocation for the 3.5 and 26 GHz bands designated for 5G services, and for 4G spectrum in the 700, 1900, and 2500 MHz bands. The Plan reflects the Petro administration priority of increasing connectivity throughout the country. By 2026, the administration’s goal is to provide 85% of Colombia’s population with meaningful levels of connectivity.

4G and 5G Auction Development Timeline:  

  • December 2022: Publication of 5G Action Plan. Call for manifestations of interest in the available spectrum. 
  • January - March 2023: Analysis of operator interest and spectrum allocation structure.
  • April - June 2023: Release of draft allocation terms for comment; auction terms finalized by late June. 
  • July - September 2023: Auction or other selection process carried out for available spectrum. 

Colombia’s four main telcos – Claro/Comcel, Tigo/Millicom, Movistar/Telefonica, and WOM – and four smaller operators expressed interest in 3.5 GHz and six telcos in the 26 GHz band. However, they voiced concerns about high spectrum prices, which are nearly three times the regional average.    

The 5G Plan predicts that early 5G commercialization will be limited to industrial use in sectors such as mining and the automobile sector, based on the 5G pilots Colombia implemented from 2020 to 2022, in which seven providers carried out 5G pilots in 458 sites in 13 cities. National connectivity is a significant area of interest for Colombia’s new administration, specially, connectivity related to rural and sub-urban areas. Additional commercial opportunities include Wifi6E, fiber optic networks, broadband infrastructure, and communication satellites. 

The 5G Plan also indicates a preference for Non-Stand Alone (NSA) networks based on 4G LTE, emphasizes the principle of maintaining technology neutrality, and underscores the necessity of network and infrastructure sharing to lower telco costs. 

For more information on the expected 5G auction and ICT opportunities in Colombia, please contact Commercial Specialist Rafael Jimenez.