{"id":43245,"date":"2025-10-17T11:16:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T17:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/?p=43245"},"modified":"2025-10-30T11:17:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T17:17:44","slug":"bidding-processes-to-award-radio-and-television-frequencies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/bidding-processes-to-award-radio-and-television-frequencies\/","title":{"rendered":"Costa Rica opens bidding processes to award radio and television frequencies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL) of Costa Rica has published the terms of reference for three public bidding processes that will grant frequencies for AM Radio Broadcasting, FM Radio Broadcasting, and Television Broadcasting.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The frequencies available through public tender are as follows:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AM Radio:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> 525 kHz to 1705 kHz.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">FM Radio:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> 88 MHz to 108 MHz.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Television:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> 174 MHz to 216 MHz and 470 MHz to 608 MHz.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This initiative is part of the National Telecommunications Development Plan 2022\u20132027, \u201cCosta Rica: Toward Inclusive Digital Disruption,\u201d which aims to ensure the continuity of radio and television broadcasting services, provide legal certainty to future concessionaires, and protect the public interest given the informative, cultural, and recreational nature of these services. The bidding will be conducted under a sealed-envelope scheme with an additional bidding round.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2263aa;\"><b>Base prices for each frequency<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SUTEL has established the following reference prices according to service type and coverage area:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1. AM radio:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Analog AM: US $9,653.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hybrid AM: US $28,959.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2. FM radio:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2.1. Regional coverage (analog FM)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Chorotega: from US $24,545.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Central Pacific: from US $18,945.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Huetar Norte: from US $26,711.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brunca: from US $22,295.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Huetar Caribe: from US $28,320.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2.2. Regional coverage (hybrid FM)<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Chorotega: from US $49,090.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Central Pacific: from US $37,890.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Huetar Norte: from US $53,422.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brunca: from US $44,590.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Huetar Caribe: from US $56,640.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2.3. National coverage<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Analog FM: US $193,051.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hybrid FM: US $386,102.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3. Open television:<\/span><\/b><br \/>\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3.1. Regional coverage<\/span><\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Chorotega: US $157,629.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Central Pacific: US $205,506.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Huetar Norte: US $325,044.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brunca: US $256,482.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Huetar Caribe: US $271,349.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3.2. National coverage<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"21\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital TV (ISDB-Tb): US $1,601,786.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2263aa;\"><b>Eligibility requirements<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bidders must demonstrate legal, financial, technical, and experience-based competence. During the eligibility phase, they must provide:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Legal capacity to operate in Costa Rica.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Compliance with the General Telecommunications Law (No. 8642) and related regulations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Proven local or international experience in broadcasting services.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Evidence of being current on tax, labor, and social security obligations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2263aa;\"><b>Financial requirements<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sufficient solvency to guarantee service continuity.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Investment capacity for network deployment and maintenance.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Submission of financial guarantees as required by the bidding documents.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Transparency in the origin of funds to prevent market concentration or anti-competitive practices.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2263aa;\"><b>Technical requirements<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Submission of a network design (national or regional) aligned with the National Frequency Allocation Plan (PNAF).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Efficient coverage, including rural or hard-to-reach areas.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Incorporation of quality standards in service delivery.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Option to adopt digital radio technologies in AM and FM (such as the IBOC standard).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Full utilization of transmission capacity in television, prioritizing frequencies with better propagation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2263aa;\"><b>Limitations and conditions<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Avoid concentration of spectrum that could limit market competition.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Respect border coordination agreements to prevent interference with neighboring countries.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Comply with the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Integrated Waste Management Law (No. 8839)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and environmental sustainability criteria for equipment and electronic waste management.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Executive Branch may reject all offers that fail to comply with the terms of reference, the National Telecommunications Development Plan (PNDT), or international obligations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #2263aa;\"><b>Bid submission deadline<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The deadline for submitting offers is <strong>November 25, 2025.<\/strong><\/span><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Subsequently, the process will include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Evaluation of eligibility requirements (20 business days).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Publication of received economic offers (1 business day).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Additional bidding round (1 business day).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Economic analysis (5 business days).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Review of technical projects and coverage areas (33 business days).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Approval of results and submission to the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT) (15 business days).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL) of Costa Rica has published&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":43248,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[229,228],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-tender"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43245"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43488,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43245\/revisions\/43488"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}