On 6 January 2026, the Comision Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT) has published Programa Anual de Uso y Aprovechamiento de Bandas de Frecuencias (PABF) 2026 for the use and utilization of radio frequency bands that will be auctioned or allocated for public, commercial, social, and private needs in Mexico. The 2026 PABF aims to publish the availability of frequency bands, frequency ranges and channels in the appropriate part of the radio spectrum to provide services to the public.
The availability of radio spectrum will have a positive impact on the development of infrastructure that enables the efficient use, utilization and exploitation of radio spectrum in Mexico. So, in this article we will discuss all important notes from the PABF 2026 in Mexico.
Key notes of CRT PABF 2026
The publication of the PABF 2026 strictly follows the CRT’s radio spectrum planning strategy, based on national and international regulations, and also the current context of frequency bands in Mexico. The frequency bands in the PABF 2026 can be granted for commercial use through a government tender procedure or allocated directly if it is intended for public, private, or social use.
Furthermore, the PABF 2026 also identifies frequency bands that can be considered for the provision of mobile wireless access services, enabling the efficient development of the telecommunications sector, and that could be made available through future public tender. The frequency bands considered for the PABF 2026 are as follows:
| Public Broadcasting Service | ||
| Service | Frequency Band | Usage Mode |
| AM sound broadcasting | 535 – 1705 kHz | Commercial and social |
| FM sound broadcasting | 88 – 108 MHz | Commercial, public and social |
| Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) | 54 – 72 MHz (VHF) 76 – 88 MHz (VHF) 174 – 216 MHz (VHF) 470 – 608 MHz (UHF) | Commercial, public and social |
| Public Telecommunications Service | ||
| Service | Frequency Band | Usage Mode |
| Wireless access | 614 – 698 MHz | Commercial |
| 814 – 824 / 859 – 869 MHz* | ||
| 1850 – 1915 / 1930 – 1995 MHz** | ||
| 2500 – 2690 MHz | ||
| Fixed Wireless | 10,15 – 10,65 GHz | Commercial |
| 37 – 38,6 GHz | ||
| Intelligent radiocommunications | 2300 – 2400 MHz | Commercial |
| 3400 – 3700 MHz*** | ||
| Intelligent radiocommunications | 2300 – 2400 MHz | Private |
| 3400 – 3700 MHz*** | ||
| Radio trunking | 415 – 420 / 425 – 430 MHz | Public |
| 806 – 814 / 851 – 859 MHz* | ||
| Wireless access | 1850 – 1915 / 1930 – 1995 MHz | Public |
| 2300 – 2400 MHz | ||
| Mobile communication | 824 – 849 / 869 – 894 MHz | Social |
| Wireless access | 2300 – 2400 MHz | Social |
| * The operation of this frequency band will be subject to the provisions of the PROTOCOL BETWEEN THE SECRETARIAT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION OF THE STATE OF MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO THE GRANTING, ASSIGNMENT AND USE OF RADIO FREQUENCIES IN THE BANDS 806-824/851-869 MHz AND 896-901/935-940 MHz FOR TERRESTRIAL RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, EXCEPT BROADCASTING, ALONG THE COMMON BORDER. ** The 1875-1885/1955-1965 MHz frequency segment is included in the PABF 2026 for public use, so if this segment is allocated in whole or in part for public use, it will not be available for commercial use. *** The operation of this frequency band will be subject to the technical conditions established by the CRT for coexistence with the Fixed Satellite Service and the protection of existing services. | ||
Frequency ranges and frequency bands for commercial use subject to public auction, included in the PABF 2026, will be considered in future auction processes in the short and medium term, although not necessarily in 2026. This is consistent with the CRT’s planning and resources for implementing such procedures in the coming years.
Applications for frequency band concessions to provide telecommunications services for public, social, and private use, including frequency bands not listed in the PABF 2026, are not subject to a specific deadline and may be submitted by interested parties on any business day.
Conclusion
In the PABF 2026, CRT also include the operational use of 5G in Mexico for industrial sectors. The success of implementation of 5G and other frequency bands will depend on regulatory certainty, appropriate spectrum pricing, and continued investment from operators.
It is important for manufacturers and operators to keep updated with telecommunications sector in Mexico. Therefore, Dimulti will closely provide any update from Mexico telecommunications sector, especially related to CRT certification. You can also drop an email to info@narmadi.com if further assistance is required regarding Mexico type approval.
