Paraguay Awards 2.3 GHz and 3.7 GHz Spectrum to Tigo and Personal for 5G Services
Paraguay has completed a major new mobile spectrum assignment, providing two established network operators with additional frequency resources for the deployment of fifth-generation mobile services. The Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) formally granted nationwide licences to Telecel S.A.E. and Núcleo S.A. on 4 August 2026 following the country’s Licitación N° 01/2026 Banda Ancha Móvil.
The final allocation adds a total of 200 MHz of spectrum to the operators involved in the licensing process. Telecel S.A.E., which operates commercially as Tigo Paraguay, received the complete 2300–2400 MHz block, while Núcleo S.A., operator of the Personal brand, secured the 3700–3800 MHz block.
Final Spectrum Assignments in Paraguay
| Operator | Commercial Brand | Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Coverage | CONATEL Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecel S.A.E. | Tigo | 2300–2400 MHz | 100 MHz | Nationwide | RD N° 1780/2026 |
| Núcleo S.A. | Personal | 3700–3800 MHz | 100 MHz | Nationwide | RD N° 1779/2026 |
The award gives each operator a contiguous 100 MHz block, an important characteristic for high-capacity 5G network deployment. Although CONATEL's licensing documentation refers generally to spectrum in the 3500 MHz band, the frequencies ultimately assigned to Núcleo are located between 3700 MHz and 3800 MHz.
2300 MHz Spectrum Assigned to Tigo Paraguay
Telecel S.A.E. received the entire 2300–2400 MHz range offered as Lot 1 of the licensing procedure. The tender divided this allocation into two 50 MHz sub-bands: 2300–2350 MHz and 2350–2400 MHz. Together, they provide Tigo with 100 MHz of contiguous spectrum for mobile broadband services.
The 2.3 GHz range can provide an additional capacity layer for mobile networks, particularly in locations where operators face increasing data demand. Under the CONATEL licensing framework, the frequencies can be used for fifth-generation mobile services as well as fixed wireless access based on 5G NR technology.
3700–3800 MHz Spectrum Assigned to Personal Paraguay
Núcleo S.A. received the second 100 MHz block, covering 3700–3800 MHz. The spectrum was divided in the tender documentation into the 3700–3750 MHz and 3750–3800 MHz sub-bands before ultimately being awarded together to the operator.
This range forms part of the wider mid-band spectrum ecosystem used internationally for IMT and 5G services. A contiguous 100 MHz allocation gives Personal a substantial block for high-capacity mobile broadband deployment and provides additional spectrum resources for the continued development of its 5G network in Paraguay.
5G NR Is Required Under the New Licences
The technical conditions established by CONATEL require services using the newly licensed spectrum to comply with fifth-generation mobile standards. Networks must support at least 3GPP 5G NR Release 15 or a later generation of the standard.
The licences also permit the allocated frequencies to be used for fixed wireless access. This means the new spectrum can support not only conventional mobile broadband but also wireless broadband services for homes and businesses where operators choose to introduce such products.
Five-Year Licence Period
The licences awarded through the 2026 procedure have an initial duration of five years, calculated from the effective date established in the corresponding licensing resolution. CONATEL may subsequently renew the licences following a request from the licensee and subject to the applicable telecommunications legislation and regulatory conditions.
The relatively detailed licence framework combines spectrum rights with specific network deployment obligations, making the award more than a simple transfer of frequency resources to the operators.
Commercial 5G Services Must Begin Within 180 Days
One of the most important conditions of the Paraguayan spectrum award is the required timetable for network activation. Licensees must install the necessary systems and begin effective commercial provision of the licensed services within 180 calendar days from the start of the licence period.
The rules allow CONATEL to approve one additional extension of up to 180 days where the operator can provide justified grounds for the delay. Before commercial operation, the licensees must also submit detailed engineering information and comply with the regulator's technical authorization and inspection requirements.
Network Rollout Obligations for Tigo and Personal
CONATEL has linked the 2026 spectrum licences to measurable infrastructure deployment requirements. For every 100 MHz awarded, a licensee is required to put at least 100 radio base stations into operation across Paraguay during the licence period.
Ten percent of these base stations must provide coverage to facilities belonging to public-sector organisations selected by CONATEL and Paraguay's Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC). Those installations must be completed by the end of the second year of the licence.
For the remaining required sites, the licensing conditions establish a progressive deployment timetable. At least 10% must be completed by the end of the first year, 50% by the end of the third year and the full obligation by the end of the fourth year.
| Deployment Requirement per 100 MHz | Obligation |
|---|---|
| Minimum radio base stations | 100 sites |
| End of Year 1 | At least 10% of applicable rollout obligation |
| Public-sector coverage | 10% of stations, completed by end of Year 2 |
| End of Year 3 | At least 50% of applicable rollout obligation |
| End of Year 4 | 100% of applicable rollout obligation |
Public Connectivity and Fiber Infrastructure Commitments
The licensing framework also contains broader infrastructure and social-connectivity requirements. For every 100 MHz of spectrum awarded, the licensee is required to contribute to the development of Paraguay's national fiber infrastructure, including the deployment of eight nodes intended to strengthen the national DWDM transport network.
In addition, each 100 MHz licence carries an obligation to provide last-mile connectivity to 1,000 public institutions in areas such as education, healthcare and public security. The locations are to be determined by MITIC, with connectivity provided for 60 months from the acceptance of each individual connection.
The tender conditions also provide an alternative mechanism under which certain social commitments may be replaced by qualifying investment in secure network infrastructure. To use this option, a licensee must formally commit to eligible network investment using trusted suppliers. The minimum qualifying investment specified in the tender is USD 40 million during the applicable licence period.
Spectrum Cap Limited Holdings to 200 MHz
CONATEL introduced a spectrum cap as part of the licensing procedure. An individual provider, including companies belonging to the same economic group, may not hold more than 200 MHz in the 2300 MHz band, the 3500 MHz band or the two bands combined under the conditions defined by the tender.
The restriction is intended to limit excessive concentration of the newly available spectrum while still allowing operators to secure sufficiently wide channels for high-capacity 5G deployment.
Minimum Bid Structure for the 2026 Licensing Process
The tender established minimum initial offers at sub-band level. Each 50 MHz sub-band in the 2300 MHz range carried a minimum initial offer of USD 800,000, while each 50 MHz sub-band within the 3500 MHz licensing framework carried a minimum initial offer of USD 500,000.
| Lot | Frequency Range | Bandwidth | Minimum Initial Offer per 50 MHz | Minimum for Complete 100 MHz Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 | 2300–2400 MHz | 100 MHz | USD 800,000 | USD 1.6 million |
| Lot 2 | 3700–3800 MHz | 100 MHz | USD 500,000 | USD 1.0 million |
These figures represent the minimum values established by the tender documentation. CONATEL's final licence award notice does not specify the final amount paid by each operator, so the minimum bid levels should not automatically be interpreted as the final auction prices.
Summary of Paraguay's 2026 Mobile Spectrum Assignment
| Operator | Brand | Spectrum Assigned | Bandwidth | Licence Term | Required Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecel S.A.E. | Tigo | 2300–2400 MHz | 100 MHz | 5 years | 5G NR Release 15 or later |
| Núcleo S.A. | Personal | 3700–3800 MHz | 100 MHz | 5 years | 5G NR Release 15 or later |
What the New Spectrum Means for Paraguay's 5G Market
The 2026 spectrum assignment significantly expands the frequency resources available to Tigo and Personal for next-generation mobile broadband. Each operator now holds a wide contiguous 100 MHz block from the latest licensing round, while the accompanying deployment conditions are designed to translate spectrum ownership into additional radio infrastructure and commercial services.
The combination of spectrum allocation, mandatory network deployment, public-sector connectivity commitments and fiber transport requirements makes the licensing process an important step in Paraguay's wider 5G development. The first practical impact will depend on how quickly the two operators integrate the new spectrum into their networks and progress toward the commercial service deadlines established by CONATEL.
For Spectrum Tracker users, the most important change is the addition of the new operator-specific assignments: 2300–2400 MHz to Tigo and 3700–3800 MHz to Personal.
All the details are reflected in our database and can be found here: https://www.spectrum-tracker.com/Paraguay