Latin America. Access to sufficient radio spectrum is a challenge for the telecommunications industry as the number of mobile network connections and users increases. To fully develop 5G networks in Latin America and the Caribbean, regulators must plan to use millimeter wave (mmWave) bands within the range of 24.5 – 86 GHz.
5G Americas published the report "Millimeter Wave Bands (mmWave) for 5G in Latin America and the Caribbean" which addresses the state of these segments in Latin America and the Caribbean and the potential of these bands for services to be developed in the 5G technological environment.
The document notes that the identification of mmWave bands in the region is in an early development phase, as most countries lack timelines or plans to allocate that spectrum for the development of 5G networks. However, there are advanced cases of countries that have allocated blocks of this type of bands or that have plans to tender them. In some cases, the use of these bands has also been promoted with authorizations for mobile use of pre-existing licenses.
Cases of administrations that have already identified capacity in millimeter wave bands as spectrum suitable for the development of 5G are documented, but that have not yet allocated it. In general, the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands are being considered, but some regulators also observe bands starting at 39 GHz. As of the report's update, the only band within the mmWave range that was in use in the region is 28 GHz in Puerto Rico and Uruguay.
Taking advantage of these spaces in the next generation of mobile technologies presents some challenges, as the lower indoor propagation and penetration observed in these bands will require a higher density of small cell infrastructure.
These deployments can provide additional capacity in areas of very high density of connections and will also support services such as ultra-high definition video distribution or fixed-wireless broadband. In addition to spectrum policies specifically aimed at mmWave bands, regulatory frameworks are required that encourage the deployment of fiber optic infrastructure and radio bases, preferably with approved rules and agile permits.
The report is available for download on https://brechacero.com/white-papers/
