Televisa Seeks Changes to Mexico’s Industrial 5G Auction

Televisa has urged the CRT to revise the proposed rules for Mexico’s first industrial 5G spectrum auction, arguing that lower financial barriers and a more flexible spectrum assignment process are necessary to encourage investment in private 5G networks and support the country’s digital transformation across key industrial sectors.

Grupo Televisa is urging Mexico’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) to refine the rules governing the country’s first industrial 5G spectrum auction, arguing that the current proposal could unintentionally limit competition and discourage investment in private wireless networks. 

The company’s recommendations, submitted during the regulator’s public consultation, focus on reducing financial barriers, improving spectrum assignment mechanisms, and creating conditions that better support the deployment of industrial 5G infrastructure.

Televisa Warns of Financial Barriers

Among Televisa’s main concerns is the proposal to require bidders to submit financial guarantees equivalent to 10% of the maximum reference value of the spectrum block. According to the company, this threshold could become an unnecessary barrier for companies interested in participating, particularly those seeking spectrum for localized industrial applications rather than nationwide deployments.

Televisa argues that the guarantee should instead be calculated based on the participant’s own economic proposal, rather than the maximum reference value established by the regulator. Such a change, the company says, would lower entry costs without compromising the seriousness of the bidding process.

The company also questioned the proposed payment schedule, which would require successful bidders to pay 100% of the spectrum price immediately after the auction. It recommended allowing staggered payments or financing mechanisms that would ease capital requirements and encourage greater investment in network deployment.

These recommendations echo broader concerns expressed by the telecommunications industry during the consultation process. Several stakeholders argue that industrial 5G spectrum should prioritize network deployment and innovation rather than maximizing short-term government revenue. Industry groups warn that excessive financial requirements could discourage companies from investing in private wireless networks that support manufacturing, logistics, mining, ports, and other industrial sectors.

Companies participating in the consultation urge the CRT to adjust the auction design to improve participation, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure the spectrum reaches users capable of deploying industrial connectivity solutions, MBN reports.

Assignment Rules Could Limit Competition

Televisa also raised concerns about the proposed assignment methodology. Under the current draft, bidders would submit offers for predefined spectrum packages, which the company believes could result in inefficient allocations if demand differs significantly across regions or industries.

Instead, Televisa proposed adopting more flexible assignment mechanisms that better reflect market demand and reduce the possibility of unfavorable allocations. The company argues that spectrum should be awarded in a way that maximizes its productive use rather than relying exclusively on predetermined package structures.

Another recommendation involves allowing greater flexibility for participants to compete for different spectrum blocks throughout the auction process. According to Televisa, this would improve competitive dynamics while increasing the likelihood that available frequencies are fully assigned.

The company also requested greater clarity regarding coexistence criteria, interference management and future spectrum obligations to provide investors with greater regulatory certainty before committing capital to industrial 5G deployments.

Industrial 5G Seen as Strategic Infrastructure

The consultation forms part of Mexico’s broader effort to create a regulatory framework for private 5G networks capable of supporting industrial digitalization. Unlike traditional mobile spectrum auctions aimed at telecommunications operators, the industrial spectrum initiative seeks to enable manufacturers, logistics operators, ports, mining companies, airports, and other enterprises to deploy dedicated wireless networks tailored to their operational needs.

Private 5G networks are increasingly viewed as critical infrastructure for Industry 4.0 applications, including automation, robotics, autonomous vehicles, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring of industrial operations.

Industry organizations participating in the consultation have generally supported the initiative but have emphasized that auction conditions must balance efficient spectrum allocation with incentives for investment. Recommendations submitted to the CRT include lowering financial barriers, simplifying participation requirements and ensuring the auction framework reflects the unique characteristics of enterprise networks rather than consumer mobile services.