Business
Key Facts
—The winners. Paraguay’s telecom regulator, Conatel, selected Tigo (Telecel) and Personal (Núcleo) in its second 5G tender.
—The only bidders. They were the sole two bidders in Tender 01/2026, for mobile broadband on the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
—The turnaround. Both had sat out the first 5G tender in 2025, which was won by Claro and Nubicom.
—The deadline. They must begin technical and commercial service within 180 days of the licenses taking effect.
—The rules. Bidders accepted terms restricting the use of equipment of Chinese origin.
Paraguay is finally getting its two biggest carriers onto 5G. In the country’s second tender, regulators picked Tigo and Personal to build out next-generation mobile networks, closing a gap the operators had left open a year earlier. The Paraguay 5G race now has its main players.
Tigo and Personal are Paraguay’s two largest mobile operators. Until now, both had stayed on the sidelines of the country’s shift to 5G, the faster mobile standard that carries more data with less delay.
That changed with Conatel’s second auction, which the pair entered and won.
What Conatel Decided
Through a board resolution, Conatel declared Telecel and Núcleo, the parent companies of Tigo and Personal, as the selected operators.
They were the only two bidders in the 2026 tender, competing for spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands used for 5G service.
A Second-Time Entry
The two carriers had abstained from Paraguay’s first 5G tender in 2025, which was awarded to Claro and Nubicom. Their entry this time brings the country’s biggest players into the 5G market.
Under the licenses, the operators must start providing service within 180 days, putting a firm clock on the rollout.
The China-Equipment Clause
As part of the process, the bidders accepted rules limiting the use of network equipment of Chinese origin, echoing security-driven restrictions adopted in other countries.
For a small market, that condition ties Paraguay’s 5G buildout to a wider geopolitical debate over telecom supply chains.
Why It Matters
With Tigo and Personal now committed, most of Paraguay’s mobile users are on a path to 5G coverage, expanding faster mobile internet across the country.
It also sets up real competition on next-generation networks, which tends to speed deployment and, over time, improve service.
Why the Big Two Stayed Out at First
Tigo and Personal had watched the 2025 tender from a distance. That first process awarded spectrum to Claro and Nubicom without the country’s dominant carriers.
Their absence left a curious gap in Paraguay’s 5G plans. Most users were on networks that had no next-generation path.
Conatel’s fresh tender in 2026 changed the arithmetic. It offered new blocks in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
The regulator set base prices at US$1.6 million per 100 MHz in the lower band. The 3.5 GHz band started at US$1 million per 100 MHz.
Both firms finally saw a viable route forward. They submitted bids and became the sole contenders.
What Happens Before the Switch-On
Winning the tender is only the first formal step. Conatel prequalified both bidders by Resolution N° 1568/2026 on 13 July.
Each operator then had seven business days to lodge the initial deposit. That payment secures their place in the next stage.
The regulator now faces a procedural choice. It must decide between a full auction or a simplified award procedure.
That decision will set the pace for the final licence grants. Once awarded, the 180-day clock for launching service begins ticking.
Engineers will then work to integrate equipment that meets the tender’s security terms. Paraguay’s two largest networks will finally carry a 5G signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Paraguay’s second 5G tender?
Paraguay’s regulator Conatel selected Tigo (Telecel) and Personal (Núcleo), the only two bidders, in its 2026 5G tender for the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
Why is this Paraguay’s second 5G tender?
Tigo and Personal abstained from the first tender in 2025, which was won by Claro and Nubicom. They entered and won the second, 2026 tender.
When must the 5G services start?
The operators must begin technical and commercial service within 180 days of the licenses taking effect.
Sources
- DPL News – Conatel selecciona a Tigo y Personal para licitacion 5G de Paraguay
- ABC Color – Segunda licitacion 5G en Paraguay
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Sources: Conatel.
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