Dominican Republic Awards 260 MHz of Spectrum to Viettel and Claro in Major 2026 Telecom Tender
The Dominican Republic has completed one of its most significant spectrum assignment processes in recent years, awarding new nationwide frequency resources to Viettel Global Investment and Claro Dominicana. The result of International Public Tender INDOTEL/LPI-001-2026 was formalized by the Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones (INDOTEL) through Resolution No. 073-2026.
A total of 260 MHz was assigned to the two successful participants. Viettel secured 240 MHz across the 700 MHz, 2300 MHz and 3600 MHz bands, establishing the spectrum foundation for its planned entry into the Dominican telecommunications market. Existing operator Claro Dominicana obtained an additional 20 MHz of paired spectrum in the 700 MHz band.
Dominican Republic 2026 Spectrum Auction Results
| Operator | Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Configuration | Licence / Concession Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel Global Investment | 728–748 MHz / 783–803 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz (40 MHz total) | FDD | 20 years |
| Viettel Global Investment | 2300–2400 MHz | 100 MHz | TDD | 20 years |
| Viettel Global Investment | 3600–3700 MHz | 100 MHz | TDD | 20 years |
| Claro Dominicana | 718–728 MHz / 773–783 MHz | 2 × 10 MHz (20 MHz total) | FDD | Remaining term of existing concession, approximately 15 years |
The combination gives Viettel access to both low-band spectrum suited to wide-area coverage and substantial mid-band capacity for high-performance mobile broadband networks. Claro, meanwhile, strengthens its existing low-band portfolio with an additional nationwide 700 MHz assignment.
Viettel Secures 240 MHz Across Three Strategic Spectrum Bands
The largest award from the process went to Viettel Global Investment, which secured a total of 240 MHz of nationwide spectrum. The package combines 40 MHz of paired 700 MHz spectrum with two contiguous 100 MHz TDD assignments at 2300–2400 MHz and 3600–3700 MHz.
This multi-band portfolio gives the new entrant several complementary options for network deployment. The 700 MHz frequencies can support broad geographical coverage and stronger indoor signal propagation, while the 2.3 GHz and 3.6 GHz holdings provide substantially more bandwidth for network capacity and high-speed mobile broadband.
Of particular importance for future 5G deployment is the contiguous 100 MHz block between 3600 MHz and 3700 MHz. Wide contiguous channels in this frequency range are well suited to 5G New Radio networks because they allow operators to make efficient use of the higher channel bandwidths supported by the technology.
Viettel's 700 MHz Assignment
Viettel received 40 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band, corresponding to a paired 2 × 20 MHz allocation. Within the applicable FDD channel arrangement, the assignment covers 728–748 MHz paired with 783–803 MHz.
| Operator | Uplink | Downlink | Paired Bandwidth | Total Spectrum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel | 728–748 MHz | 783–803 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz | 40 MHz |
Low-band spectrum is particularly valuable for the development of a nationwide mobile network because fewer radio sites are generally required to provide broad territorial coverage than when relying exclusively on higher-frequency capacity bands. For a new market entrant building a network from the ground up, the 700 MHz award therefore represents an important part of Viettel's spectrum portfolio.
100 MHz Assigned to Viettel in the 2300 MHz Band
Viettel also secured the complete 2300–2400 MHz block included in the final award, giving the company 100 MHz of contiguous TDD spectrum.
| Operator | Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Duplex Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel | 2300–2400 MHz | 100 MHz | TDD |
The 2.3 GHz band provides an additional capacity layer between traditional coverage spectrum and the higher 3.5 GHz range. Depending on Viettel's final network architecture and technology strategy, the frequencies can support high-capacity mobile broadband deployments and complement the company's lower and higher frequency holdings.
Viettel Receives 100 MHz at 3600–3700 MHz
The third component of Viettel's spectrum package is a contiguous 100 MHz assignment between 3600 MHz and 3700 MHz.
| Operator | Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Duplex Mode | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel | 3600–3700 MHz | 100 MHz | TDD | High-capacity mobile broadband / 5G |
The 3.6 GHz allocation is particularly relevant to the development of Viettel's future 5G network. With 100 MHz of contiguous spectrum available, the operator will have a substantial mid-band resource capable of supporting high throughput and network capacity in densely populated and high-traffic areas.
Claro Adds 20 MHz of 700 MHz Spectrum
Claro Dominicana was the second successful participant in the tender. The operator obtained 20 MHz of additional spectrum in the 700 MHz band, consisting of 10 MHz between 718 MHz and 728 MHz paired with 10 MHz between 773 MHz and 783 MHz.
| Operator | Uplink | Downlink | Paired Bandwidth | Total Spectrum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claro Dominicana | 718–728 MHz | 773–783 MHz | 2 × 10 MHz | 20 MHz |
Unlike Viettel's new 20-year concession, Claro's new frequency rights are tied to the remaining duration of its existing concession agreement. At the time of the award, this represented approximately 15 years.
The additional 700 MHz block strengthens Claro's low-band resources and can support broader mobile coverage, indoor connectivity and future network evolution using compatible technologies.
Spectrum Included in the INDOTEL/LPI-001-2026 Tender
The 2026 international tender covered a considerably wider spectrum portfolio than the frequencies ultimately awarded. INDOTEL included spectrum within the 700 MHz band, AWS frequencies at 1765–1780 MHz paired with 2165–2180 MHz, the complete 2300–2400 MHz range, the 3540–3560 MHz segment and spectrum between 3600 MHz and 3700 MHz.
| Spectrum Band | Frequency Range | Structure | 2026 Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 MHz | 698–806 MHz band plan | Paired FDD blocks | Spectrum awarded to Viettel and Claro |
| AWS | 1765–1780 / 2165–2180 MHz | 3 paired blocks of 2 × 5 MHz | No successful bids / declared unsuccessful |
| 2300 MHz | 2300–2400 MHz | 100 MHz TDD | Awarded to Viettel |
| 3500 MHz | 3540–3560 MHz | 20 MHz TDD | Included in tender; not part of the final awards reflected here |
| 3600 MHz | 3600–3700 MHz | 100 MHz TDD | Awarded to Viettel |
AWS Spectrum Remains Unassigned
Not all spectrum included in the tender attracted successful offers. The three blocks in the AWS range, covering 1765–1780 MHz paired with 2165–2180 MHz, received no successful bids and remained unassigned following the procedure.
Together, these blocks represent 2 × 15 MHz, or 30 MHz of total paired spectrum. Their non-assignment contrasts with the strong result for the available 700 MHz, 2300 MHz and 3600 MHz resources acquired by Viettel and Claro.
Viettel to Enter the Dominican Republic Mobile Market
The strategic importance of the 2026 spectrum process extends beyond the frequencies themselves. The award provides the regulatory foundation for Viettel to establish itself as a new telecommunications operator in the Dominican Republic.
Before commencing operations under the concession, Viettel must establish a locally incorporated company in the Dominican Republic. That entity will become the holder of the concession and the associated spectrum licences awarded through the tender.
Viettel's entry adds another infrastructure-based operator to a mobile market currently served by established providers including Claro, Altice and Viva. The company's spectrum portfolio gives it the ability to combine nationwide coverage spectrum with two substantial TDD capacity blocks as it develops its network.
20-Year Concession for Viettel
The new concession associated with Viettel's successful bid has a duration of 20 years, beginning in accordance with the conditions of the concession agreement.
Claro's additional 700 MHz frequencies follow a different timetable. Their validity corresponds to the remaining term of the operator's existing concession, which at the time of adjudication was approximately 15 years.
| Operator | Total Spectrum Awarded | Concession / Licence Term |
|---|---|---|
| Viettel Global Investment | 240 MHz | 20 years |
| Claro Dominicana | 20 MHz | Approximately 15 years remaining under existing concession |
Post-Award Requirements
The spectrum award is an important regulatory milestone, but it does not mean that Viettel can immediately begin commercial mobile operations. The successful participants must complete the formal concession and licensing procedures established by INDOTEL.
The tender framework requires performance guarantees to be established before the respective concession agreements are executed. The adjudicated companies also have a maximum period of 90 days for execution of the corresponding concession contract or amendment.
For Viettel, this process additionally requires creation of the Dominican legal entity that will ultimately hold the concession and frequency licences.
Part of the Spectrum Payment Can Support Development Projects
The licensing framework also contains an investment-oriented mechanism under which up to 30% of payments associated with the spectrum awards may be implemented through development projects promoted by INDOTEL, subject to the conditions established by the tender.
This approach connects part of the economic value of the spectrum assignment with telecommunications development initiatives rather than limiting the transaction exclusively to direct monetary payments.
Economic Importance of the 2026 Spectrum Tender
Public information accompanying the award indicated that the Dominican State is expected to receive approximately USD 120 million in compensation associated with the frequencies assigned through the process. Viettel's wider entry into the Dominican telecommunications market has also been associated with a planned investment programme of approximately USD 500 million.
The spectrum payment and the separate network investment commitment should be understood as different components: the first relates to the rights associated with the frequency assignment, while the second concerns the broader investment expected as Viettel establishes and develops its operations in the country.
Summary of New Dominican Republic Spectrum Assignments
| Operator | Band | Exact Assignment | Total Bandwidth | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel | 700 MHz | 728–748 / 783–803 MHz | 40 MHz | FDD |
| Viettel | 2300 MHz | 2300–2400 MHz | 100 MHz | TDD |
| Viettel | 3600 MHz | 3600–3700 MHz | 100 MHz | TDD |
| Claro Dominicana | 700 MHz | 718–728 / 773–783 MHz | 20 MHz | FDD |
What the 2026 Spectrum Award Means for the Dominican Republic
The INDOTEL/LPI-001-2026 process changes the structure of the country's mobile spectrum market in two important ways. First, it places significant additional spectrum into productive use across low-band and mid-band frequencies. Second, it creates the regulatory and spectrum foundation for the entry of a new nationwide operator.
Viettel's combination of 700 MHz, 2300 MHz and 3600 MHz spectrum provides a diversified portfolio for building a network that can balance geographical coverage with capacity. Claro's additional 700 MHz holding further strengthens the spectrum available to an established network operator.
The next stage will be the formalization of the concessions, followed by network deployment and the eventual commercial entry of Viettel. The timing, initial coverage footprint and commercial launch strategy will determine how quickly the effects of the 2026 spectrum assignment become visible to mobile users in the Dominican Republic.
For Spectrum Tracker, the principal database changes resulting from the 2026 process are the addition of Viettel's new 700 MHz, 2300 MHz and 3600 MHz holdings and Claro's additional paired 700 MHz allocation.
All the details are reflected in our database and can be found here: https://www.spectrum-tracker.com/Dominican-Republic