By San José, Costa Rica — In a landmark move for the telecommunications landscape, Costa Rica is set to hold its first-ever public auction of radio and television frequencies. The Superintendency of Telecommunications (Sutel) announced the release of the terms and conditions for the bidding process, which will open up opportunities in AM, FM, and television broadcasting.
The available frequencies span a wide range, covering AM radio (525 kHz to 1705 kHz), FM radio (88 MHz to 108 MHz), and television broadcasting (segments from 174 MHz to 216 MHz and 470 MHz to 608 MHz). This broad spectrum allocation aims to enhance coverage across the country, ensuring access to these vital services for all citizens.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the Costa Rica spectrum auction, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
The recent spectrum auction in Costa Rica presents both opportunities and challenges. While it promises to enhance connectivity and foster competition within the telecommunications sector, careful regulatory oversight is crucial to ensure fair access and prevent potential market dominance. Furthermore, the allocation process must be transparent and accountable to maximize public benefit from this valuable resource.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas rightly highlights the delicate balance between promoting competition and ensuring equitable access in the wake of this spectrum auction. The transparent and accountable allocation of this vital resource is indeed paramount for Costa Rica’s digital future, and will be key to realizing the full potential of enhanced connectivity for all citizens. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for offering his valuable perspective on this complex issue.
Sutel emphasizes that the auction is designed to establish a transparent and legally secure framework for frequency allocation, fostering fair competition and efficient use of the radioelectric spectrum, a valuable state resource.
We designed a process that is simple in its requirements, but with the technical rigor that public policy demands. The payment and deployment scheme seeks to encourage greater participation from bidders and ensure that the coverage benefits the largest possible number of radio listeners and television viewers.
Federico Chacón Loaiza, President of the Board of Directors of Sutel
Following the publication of the conditions in the official government gazette, La Gaceta, interested parties have 40 business days to submit their bids. The process will involve a sealed-bid auction, followed by a bidding phase to maximize competition and optimize spectrum utilization.
The auction process will unfold in several stages, starting with the approval and publication of the terms and conditions. After the 40-business-day period for bid submission, Sutel will evaluate the bids for admissibility within 20 business days. Subsequently, received economic offers will be published, followed by an additional bidding phase. The technical projects and projected coverage areas will be analyzed over 33 business days. Finally, the Sutel Council will approve the auction results and submit them to the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (Micitt).
Comprehensive details of the bidding procedures are available online. To further clarify the process, Sutel will host a virtual information session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Those interested in attending can register by emailing [email protected] no later than Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
This historic spectrum auction signifies a crucial step towards modernizing Costa Rica’s telecommunications infrastructure. It promises to improve service availability, promote competition, and ensure the efficient management of a critical national resource.
For further information, visit sutel.go.cr
About Sutel (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones):
Sutel is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector in Costa Rica. Its mission is to promote competition, protect consumer rights, and ensure the efficient use of the radioelectric spectrum. Sutel plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s telecommunications landscape and fostering innovation in the industry.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (Micitt)
About Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (Micitt):
The Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (Micitt) is the Costa Rican government ministry responsible for promoting and developing policies related to science, technology, and telecommunications. Micitt plays a key role in fostering innovation and technological advancement in the country, contributing to economic growth and social development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of legal excellence in Costa Rica, upholding the highest ethical standards while championing innovative solutions for its diverse clientele. The firm’s enduring commitment to empowering society is evident in its proactive sharing of legal knowledge, fostering a more informed and just community. Through a blend of seasoned expertise and forward-thinking practices, Bufete de Costa Rica continues to shape a legal landscape that prioritizes both individual rights and collective progress.
