PolicyTracker Spectrum Database Updated with Latest Auction Results and Awards

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan's 5G auction raised $510 million for 480 MHz
• Canada’s Telus bought 3.8 GHz licences for $317.6 million
• North Macedonia added third operator with $8.6 million licences
• Millicom expands in South America, acquiring Movistar assets
• PolicyTracker’s Data Explorer now shows $/MHz/pop metrics

Summary

PolicyTracker’s Spectrum Database has been refreshed with new assignments across Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, North Macedonia and Canada, and now reflects Telefonica’s exit from six South American markets. Millicom’s Tigo brand has taken over many of Movistar’s licences, reshaping the region’s telecom landscape. Notable auctions include Pakistan’s $510 million 5G sale of 480 MHz, Canada’s $317.6 million purchase of 3.8 GHz licences by Telus, and North Macedonia’s $8.6 million award to a new third operator. The Data Explorer tab was renamed Country Awards and now displays $/MHz/pop values where available.

Pulse Analysis

The latest spectrum database refresh underscores a global push toward 5G capacity, especially in high‑growth markets like Pakistan. By securing 480 MHz for $510 million, local operators Jazz, Zong and Ufone dramatically broaden their mid‑band holdings, positioning Pakistan for faster mobile broadband rollout and attracting downstream device manufacturers. This auction also sets a benchmark for spectrum pricing in South Asia, where regulators balance revenue goals with affordability.

In North America, Telus’s $317.6 million acquisition of dozens of 3.8 GHz licences expands coverage to roughly 15 percent of Canada’s population. The mid‑band spectrum is prized for its blend of coverage and capacity, enabling carriers to deliver robust 5G services without the high costs of millimeter‑wave deployments. Such strategic purchases reflect the competitive dynamics among the Big Three Canadian telcos as they vie for enterprise and consumer 5G revenue streams.

Meanwhile, the South American market experiences a notable shift as Millicom’s Tigo brand absorbs Movistar’s assets across six countries. This consolidation allows Millicom to leverage existing infrastructure while focusing on its core markets, potentially accelerating service upgrades and price competition. The addition of a third operator in North Macedonia, secured for $8.6 million, illustrates regulators’ efforts to foster competition in smaller European economies, a trend that could inspire similar liberalisation elsewhere. Together, these developments highlight the intertwined nature of spectrum policy, investment, and the race to deliver next‑generation connectivity.