The plan, which is being described as a global first, involves the relocation of 48 digital terrestrial television (DTT) channels using frequencies between 614MHz and 698MHz freeing up for 5G services.
The relocated channels will continue to operate below channel 37 which is in 608-614MHz range, a move that the IFT says is consistent with the Work Program to Reorganize the Radioelectric Spectrum for Radio and Television Stations, contained within Mexico’s National Radioelectric Spectrum Program that came into force in November 2017.
The IFT says that this plan has been adopted by other countries such as the US, Canada and New Zealand, and is supported by Colombia and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity.
In addition to freeing up space for 5G, the IFT says that by migrating DTT channels to lower frequencies it also reduces costs for operators and minimises the deployment times for the channel change.
Earlier this month, the IFT approved an amended reference offer from Altan Redes over its 4G wholesale network Red Compartida project. The IFT forced Altan Redes to amend its wholesale reference offer it made back in December in order to comply with the current regulatory framework.
