On February 6th of 2025, the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (“IFT”) published an agreement modifying the 2025 Annual Program for the Use and Exploitation of Frequency Bands. These modifications aim to regulate the allocation and auctioning of radio spectrum frequencies for commercial, public, and social use.
The changes were based on requests from the Economic Competition Unit, the Concessions and Services Unit, and technical analyses conducted by the Radio Spectrum Unit. Below are the key adjustments compared to the original version published at the end of 2024:
Allocation of New Frequencies
- Additional frequencies in AM, FM, and Digital Terrestrial Television (“DTT”) have been included, prioritizing access for community, Indigenous, and Afro-Mexican media.
- 10% of the FM band (106-108 MHz) has been reserved for community and Indigenous stations.
Frequencies Available by Type of Use
- Commercial: 20 FM frequencies and 9 DTT channels have been added for auction.
- Public: 22 FM frequencies and 14 DTT channels have been allocated at the request of the Federal Executive Branch.
- Social: 24 FM frequencies and 2 DTT channels have been included to promote media diversity.
International Coordination
- Spectrum concessions requiring agreements with other countries have been re-evaluated.
On the other hand, no new frequency bands were allocated for telecommunications, as the submitted requests were not technically viable. However, bands designated for public and social use in radiocommunication and mobile communication services remain in place.
Additionally, the program establishes specific deadlines for broadcasting concession request, while telecommunications requests may be submitted on any business day. Furthermore, the IFT is considering the transfer of certain responsibilities to the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency, ensuring that the decisions in this program do not limit the powers of this new body.
At Acedo Santamarina, S.C., we are available to provide guidance and address any concerns regarding these regulations.
