The process for the entry of a third mobile telecommunications operator in Panama is progressing firmly, as confirmed by Zelmar Rodríguez, administrator of the National Public Services Authority (ASEP), who explained that they are currently in a phase of evaluation and design of the bases for a public tender.

He stressed that the objective is to attract companies with the technical experience and economic capacity necessary to compete in the Panamanian market,” Rodríguez stressed.

He also stressed that the process will culminate in a public tender open to all interested companies that meet the established requirements.

“We are generating analysis and conditions that make the entry of a third operator into Panama attractive, considering the realities of the market and current policies,” he said.

The proposal for the tender is projected to be defined within the first quarter of the year, however, Rodríguez stressed that the process will include both internal and external evaluations, since tenders for mobile operators require state authorizations and the signing of multiple contracts between the State and the participating companies.

For his part, Alkin Saucedo, national director of Telecommunications at ASEP, explained that in addition to establishing the conditions for the new operator, key aspects such as available frequencies, the price of the radio spectrum and other technical and financial factors are also being reviewed.

“We are being careful and strategic in this analysis to ensure that market conditions are attractive for foreign investments and, at the same time, strengthen fair competition with existing operators,” Saucedo said.

Both officials agreed that, once the necessary reports and evaluations have been completed, information on the tendering process will be published.

“The idea is that interested companies clearly know the conditions and benefits of entering the Panamanian market,” Rodríguez concluded.