Colombia 440–470 MHz spectrum planning is under review after the National Spectrum Agency (ANE) opened a public consultation on the future use of the band, commonly referred to as the 450 MHz band. The initiative examines current spectrum use, effective channel availability, technical coexistence conditions, and possible alternatives to improve spectrum efficiency.
Importantly, ANE has not adopted a new band plan or introduced new mandatory requirements at this stage. The study forms part of the problem-definition phase of Colombia’s Regulatory Impact Analysis process and is intended to gather evidence before potential regulatory alternatives are evaluated.
Spectrum Planning
The 440–470 MHz band is currently attributed to Fixed and Mobile services, with additional services identified in specific portions of the band under Colombia’s National Frequency Allocation Table (CNABF).
Colombia also incorporates international footnote 5.286AA of the ITU Radio Regulations, which identifies the 450–470 MHz range for administrations wishing to introduce International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).
Additionally, national footnote CLM21 reserves the ranges 452.5–457.5 MHz and 462.5–467.5 MHz for future IMT operation. Therefore, this IMT reservation is not a new proposal resulting from the current consultation. It is an existing part of Colombia’s spectrum framework and remains relevant to ANE’s ongoing planning analysis.
At present, Land Mobile Radio (LMR) is the incumbent and predominant use of the band. These systems primarily support operational voice communications and can use both analog technologies and digital standards such as DMR, TETRA, and P25.
ANE’s analysis shows that private security and surveillance accounts for 50.5% of the unique licence holders reviewed. Commerce and other services represent 13.5%, transport and logistics account for 6.4%, and public utilities represent 5.7%.
Spectrum and Future IMT Use
The ANE study identifies three 3GPP LTE bands relevant to the 450 MHz ecosystem:
| 3GPP Band | Uplink | Downlink | Duplex Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 31 | 452.5–457.5 MHz | 462.5–467.5 MHz | FDD |
| Band 72 | 451–456 MHz | 461–466 MHz | FDD |
| Band 73 | 450–455 MHz | 460–465 MHz | FDD |
The study notes that Band 73 currently records no active use. It also describes the LTE/NR ecosystem around 450 MHz as specialized rather than comparable in scale with more widely adopted IMT bands.
According to ANE’s study, the largest equipment volumes in this ecosystem are concentrated in routers and electricity meters. Recent growth has also been observed in sensors, IoT devices, and ruggedized portable terminals.
For equipment manufacturers and suppliers, these observations are relevant because any future reorganization of the band could affect supported frequency arrangements, equipment planning, and deployment strategies. However, ANE has not yet selected or implemented a new spectrum configuration.
Coexistence in the Colombia 440–470 MHz Spectrum
A major element of ANE’s analysis is technical coexistence.
The study examines interactions between existing LMR systems, potential LTE/IMT deployments, and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), which operates in adjacent spectrum above 470 MHz.
Technical considerations evaluated by ANE include:
- Channel separation
- Guard bands
- Out-of-band emissions
- Filtering requirements
- Interference protection criteria
- Geographic coordination
Because DTT operates directly above the upper boundary of the band, protection requirements may reduce the amount of spectrum that can be effectively reused in the upper portion of the 440–470 MHz range.
The study also emphasizes that administrative availability does not necessarily mean that a channel is technically available. Existing assignments in nearby geographic areas may impose protection restrictions that limit frequency reuse.
These coexistence considerations are particularly important when evaluating potential future arrangements involving narrowband LMR systems and broadband IMT technologies.
Public Consultation on the Colombia Spectrum
ANE is inviting stakeholders to participate in the public consultation and provide technical, economic, operational, and market information that may support the next stages of the Regulatory Impact Analysis.
The consultation is open to a broad range of stakeholders, including:
- Current and potential spectrum users
- Telecommunications operators
- Public entities
- Productive sectors
- Equipment suppliers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Industry associations
- Academia
- The general public
The consultation seeks information on current and future use of the band, difficulties obtaining or expanding frequency assignments, technical limitations, potential demand, and other considerations that could be relevant to subsequent stages of the regulatory analysis.
How to Participate
The public consultation opened on August 11, 2026 and closes on August 25, 2026.
Stakeholders may participate through two channels:
- Email: Written comments and supporting documents may be submitted to ANE’s official contact address.
- Online questionnaire: ANE has made a Microsoft Forms questionnaire available to collect technical, economic, and operational information.
Official ANE questionnaire:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=0PlyiWLlvEGf9UsJ17sGiMu7QN2hOcFFh2VdaJxNEURUNTM5MzUxQk9ENVZQREI2VUg3UUpGNURCSS4u&route=shorturl
For manufacturers, suppliers, operators, and other stakeholders with interests in the 450 MHz ecosystem, the consultation provides an opportunity to submit evidence before ANE moves to later stages of the analysis.
What This Means for the Wireless Industry
The consultation does not immediately change spectrum assignments, technical standards, type approval requirements, or market-access procedures in Colombia.
However, it is an important spectrum-planning development because ANE is actively reviewing whether the current organization of the band adequately supports existing and potential future needs.
Companies developing LMR equipment, LTE modules, IoT devices, routers, smart meters, base stations, or related wireless infrastructure should therefore monitor the process, particularly if their products operate within or near the 440–470 MHz range.
Organizations that need to monitor developments affecting wireless technologies, spectrum availability, and regulatory frameworks can learn more about Entirety’s Regulatory Intelligence Service.
Impact Assessment
- Technical Standards?
No - Type Approval & Market Access? No
- Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance? No
- Spectrum Management?
Yes