Digicel has won a block of 700MHz spectrum in Panama after approval from the National Public Services Authority.

The operator is due to pay $22.5 million for 2×10MHz blocks of 700MHz spectrum in the 738MHz-748MHz/793MHz-803MHz bands, and the frequencies must be put in use within the next 12 months.

The decision was approved by Cabinet Resolution No. 142 (dated 13 November 2017) and green-lit by the regulator late last month.

The spectrum was awarded after Digicel triggered a clause that made up part of a concession contract in 2008 to obtain further spectrum if needed. The clause was part of Panama’s National Frequency Allocation plan, said ASEP.

The request was approved in November 2017, one month after Digicel submitted the petition, with information on technical and legal details.

Digicel Panam launched operations in 2008, followed by America Movil’s Claro unit in 2009, ending a long-standing duopoly of incumbent Cable & Wireless Panam and Telefonica-owned Movistar.

According to a report from Research and Markets, telecom revenue in Panama has broached $1 billion during the last few years, and continues to increase steadily, with mobile services and broadband being the fastest growing sectors.

The mobile sector has also flourished in recent years, and the popularity of customers having multiple SIM cards has pushed mobile penetration rates above 174%, considerably higher than the regional average, its report on the Central American country said last year.