Panama’s public services regulator will launch a competitive bidding process this year to introduce a third mobile network operator. The National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) announced the plan to diversify the telecommunications market, which has been dominated by two companies for years.
ASEP’s General Administrator, Zelmar Rodriguez Crespo, confirmed the timeline during the presentation of a new investor-focused microsite. The digital platform provides market data, regulatory frameworks, and technical indicators to guide potential bidders. Officials stated the country is now prepared to move forward after foundational sector strengthening work that began in February 2025.
“The country is in a position to initiate this process to incorporate a third operator, which will promote greater competition and better services for users,” Rodriguez Crespo said. [Translated from Spanish]
The immediate next step involves using the new portal to attract serious investment. ASEP data reveals a market with over five million active mobile lines, suggesting significant room for a new competitor.
Market Data Reveals Significant Opportunity
Detailed statistics published by the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) paint a picture of a mature yet opportunity-rich market. Of the more than five million active lines reported at the end of 2025, approximately 79 percent are prepaid users. The remaining 21 percent belong to the postpaid segment.
This breakdown indicates a substantial base of potential customers for a new entrant offering competitive pricing or innovative service plans. The market has shown consistent growth since mobile services launched in Panama in 1996, even requiring a switch from seven to eight-digit numbering in 2005 to accommodate expansion.
Investor Portal Details Technical and Legal Landscape
The newly launched microsite serves as a central hub for due diligence. It compiles information on existing infrastructure, including fiber optic networks, telecommunications towers, and data centers. Crucially, it also outlines the available radio spectrum for mobile services.
“This platform provides transparency and essential information on the socio-economic impact, trends, competitive dynamics, and projections of our mobile market,” Rodriguez Crespo explained. [Translated from Spanish]
By publishing the legal framework and bidding guidelines in advance, ASEP aims to run an efficient and transparent public bidding process. The regulator’s move aligns with a broader governmental push to position Panama as a modern digital hub. This initiative follows other recent developments, such as those highlighted by zelmar rodriguez crespo in discussions about regional connectivity.
The entry of a third operator is expected to pressure existing companies on price and service quality. Consumers and businesses will likely benefit from increased choice. For the government, a more competitive sector could accelerate digital inclusion goals and infrastructure investment.
ASEP, under the leadership of guez crespo, is now tasked with managing a complex transition. The regulator must balance attracting a qualified new investor with ensuring continued stability for existing services. The autoridad nacional has recently managed similar large-scale public processes in other sectors, providing a template for this telecommunications effort.
Industry analysts will watch the bidding parameters closely. The specific blocks of spectrum offered and the associated investment commitments will determine the level of interest from international telecom groups. A successful auction could reshape Panama’s digital economy for the next decade.