Rock Mobile confirmed as Jamaica’s third mobile operator
/ Our Today
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In an Our Today follow up, Science and Technology Minister, Daryl Vaz has named domestic operator Rock Mobile as Jamaica’s third mobile player having been awarded the 700MHz spectrum license that was recently auctioned.
The news comes less than a day after Our Today reported yesterday that Jamaica is close to adding a new entrant to the mobile market, as the government is close to deciding on the successful tender to its recent 700MHz spectrum bid. Speaking in parliament last evening (May 18), Vaz disclosed that the Cabinet reached its decision “with lightning speed.”
He was quick to point out that the new player would also need to act swiftly, with a commercial launch expected within one year of receiving its license. Rock Mobile is required to be “fully operational” within two years, with coverage reaching 95% of the population.
Bidders for the available 700MHz spectrum were required to submit technical and financial proposals for the concession, with the latter pledged in US dollars. The Spectrum Management Authority received multiple bids for the license.
The license consists of a 2×10MHz block of 4G-ready spectrum, with the concession valid for 15 years. According to records from Jamaica’s Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Rock Mobile has held ISP, Carrier, International Service Provider and Domestic Voice Service Provider licenses since June 2020.
TeleGeography reports that the firm first expressed an interest in obtaining Jamaica’s third license in January this year. Rock Mobile will replace Caricel, which provided services over the 700MHz frequency.
The license, which was awarded to Caricel but had it revoked in 2018 by the SMA, owing to security concerns around one of its principals. As reported by CommsUpdate, the vacant 4G-ready 700MHz spectrum consists of a 2x10MHz block, with the concession valid for 15 years.
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