The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) of Mexico has unveiled its 2026 radio spectrum allocation strategy designed to provide economic incentives while promoting new business models. This initiative aims to diminish entry barriers for businesses and tackle connectivity issues affecting productivity, investment, and industrial digitalization. With a focus on expanding access to essential communication technologies, the strategy intends to foster development in various industrial sectors, thereby enhancing the overall economic landscape of the country.

The plan consists of three phased auctions targeting different aspects of telecom services: industrial networks, microwave services, and mobile broadband (5G). The CRT has identified the first auction to be for industrial networks, which is considered a strategic move due to its anticipated direct effects on automation, advanced manufacturing, and critical infrastructure improvements. By prioritizing the industrial networks auction, the CRT is signaling its commitment to advancing technology integration in Mexico's key economic sectors.

Marisol Nava, the General Director of Spectrum Auctions at CRT, emphasized the competitive advantages of Jalisco state, which is strategically located in the western Bajío region. Jalisco's industrial parks rank among the top ten in the country, boasting robust Internet service penetration at 87.7% and a remarkable 86% for cellular phone services. This thriving connectivity landscape underlines Jalisco's potential to attract more investments and sparks interest in utilizing the newly allocated spectrum as part of a broader initiative to modernize industrial operations and improve overall digital infrastructure.