Panama's ICT regulator ASEP will terminate the concession of telecommunications operator Digicel, due to the failure to find a buyer for its assets and keep the contract valid.
BNAmericas reports that in 2022, ASEP began a public bidding process with the aim of granting a new concession to operate the communications service and sell certain assets of the company. This followed Digicel exiting the Panamaian market that year.
Digicel pulled out of Panama in 2022, claiming it was unable to compete in a market dominated by Tigo and C&W, after a Claro and C&W Panamá merger received the green light.
A statement from ASEP said General International Telecom was the only bidder but the company later withdrew from the process.
Another foreign operator showed interest in assets, networks and equipment, but also withdrew.
The statement added that, since there's no new interested party to continue the public bidding process and/or the purchase and sale of certain assets, networks and equipment of the Digicel company, ASEP, must begin the process of terminating the concession contract.
Digicel has spectrum in the 1900 Megahertz and 700 megahertz bands, as well as a network involving over 700 sites, covering 80% of the population.
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