Mexico’s Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (ATDT) has published the Programa Nacional de Espectro Radioeléctrico 2026–2030 (PNER) in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) on May 18, 2026. The Program sets out Mexico’s five-year strategy for managing, assigning, and modernising the use of radio spectrum, with the aim of closing the country’s connectivity gap and aligning with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards. It is jointly backed by the ATDT, the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT), the Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas (INPI), and the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP), and derives from Mexico’s National Development Plan 2025–2030.
The Spectrum Gap Mexico Is Working to Close
The PNER acknowledges a significant shortfall in Mexico’s current spectrum availability. The country currently operates with only 695 MHz of spectrum in commercial use for mass mobile services — approximately half the 1,280 MHz recommended by the ITU as the optimal baseline for network quality, speed, and coverage. The Program sets a concrete target of making 1,095 MHz available for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) by 2030, addressing what the government formally recognises as a gap relative to international standards.
Program Objectives
The PNER 2026–2030 is structured around three central goals:
Infrastructure deployment and IMT harmonisation. The CRT will identify and harmonise frequency bands for IMT use, coordinating technical studies and work to support expanded mobile infrastructure and connectivity across Mexico.
Sustainable network development and equitable access. The ATDT and CRT will promote telecommunications network and broadcasting projects through regulatory support measures, with particular attention to extending coverage to rural areas, marginalised communities, and indigenous and Afro-Mexican populations — where an 18.4 percentage point gap in internet usage currently exists compared to urban centres.
Modernised spectrum management by the CRT, including:
- Promoting dynamic access to and sharing of radio spectrum through updated regulatory frameworks;
- Facilitating technological innovation through spectrum use in controlled testing environments;
- Supporting technological development by studying and testing telecommunications and broadcasting equipment, conducting conformity assessments, and carrying out homologation of devices;
- Active participation in international forums on spectrum management and emerging technologies.
Regulatory and Compliance Implications
The PNER introduces spectrum-related incentives and regulatory flexibility measures that are directly relevant to manufacturers and suppliers of wireless and radio-equipped products. Among the mechanisms envisaged, the ATDT and CRT may offer discounts on spectrum usage fees in exchange for coverage obligations in areas where commercial deployment is currently not viable. New frequency bands are expected to become available for commercial use through CRT tenders over the 2026–2030 period, spanning bands relevant to 5G, fixed wireless access, and IoT applications.
As the CRT updates band plans and technical specifications over the life of the Program, product homologation requirements in Mexico may evolve. Manufacturers should monitor regulatory developments closely, particularly around any new or revised frequency allocations, as these may necessitate re-evaluation of existing equipment certifications.
It is also worth noting that the CRT is the successor to the former Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT), operating as a technically specialised body under the ATDT. Manufacturers already familiar with the IFT homologation framework should be aware of this institutional transition when engaging with Mexican regulatory processes.
For more information, read the official notification below.
How C-PRAV Can Support You
C-PRAV supports manufacturers and suppliers with homologation and type approval in Mexico, including certification of wireless, radio, and telecommunications equipment. As the CRT introduces updated band plans and new spectrum allocations under the PNER 2026–2030, our team can help you assess the impact on your existing certifications, coordinate testing against any updated technical requirements, and manage the end-to-end homologation process to maintain your market access in Mexico.
Have questions? We’re here to help, or send us an email at gma@c-prav.com.