Mexico. The Federal Institute of Telecommunications, IFT, confirmed the payment in time of the consideration of the last subsequent winning participant in the public tender of 257 radio frequencies: 191 in the FM band and 66 in the AM band (IFT-4 Tender), for a period of 20 years. With the delivery of the title of radio spectrum concession number 141 on November 24, this process ended.
Among the main results of the tender is the assignment of 141 new frequencies for the sound broadcasting service throughout the country, 27 in AM and 114 in FM, to 66 different winning participants who will offer services in 105 different coverage areas. Of the 141 new concessions, in 50 cases there is a commitment to start operations with analog-digital hybrid technology using the IBOC standard, and 121 cases were considered as new competitors in their coverage areas.
During this process, the winning participants delivered to the Treasury of the Federation a total of $954'912,000.00 (nine hundred and fifty-four million, nine hundred and twelve thousand pesos 00/100 M.N.) for the consideration paid for the 141 frequencies assigned.
On the other hand, the Institute disqualified a total of 22 participants for 97 frequencies, which implied the execution of the corresponding seriousness guarantees for an amount of $ 64,592,000.00 (sixty-four million, five hundred and ninety-two thousand pesos 00/100 M.N.). In accordance with the above, the total amount collected for the Mexican State derived from this tender amounts to $1,010,504,000.00 (One thousand ten million, five hundred and four thousand pesos 00/100 M.N.).
These 141 new frequencies will increase the number of commercial radio stations in Mexico by 11.5% and, for the first time, were allocated through a public, open and transparent bidding process. As a result, competition is strengthened, new spaces are opened for freedom of expression in our country and the dissemination of new local, regional and national content is encouraged.
