Movistar offers frequencies for USD30 million

The Chilean competition agency, the FNE, and the telecoms regulator Subtel have criticised a plan by wireless operator Telefonica Moviles (operating as Movistar) to return 25MHz of spectrum, according to BNAmericas. One of the terms of last year’s merger of Telefonica Moviles and BellSouth Chile, was that half of Movistar’s 50MHz of frequencies in 800MHz range be sold. Movistar has reportedly set a minimum price of USD30 million for the spectrum, but has said that if there are no acceptable bids it will return the frequencies to the regulator. The government bodies have questioned the high price set by the cellco, and have also queried Movistar’s timetable.