Altán Redes stops paying spectrum to the government; owes 500 million pesos

Altán Redes has stopped paying the consideration for the lease of the 700 MHz radio spectrum, owing since March of this year around 500 million pesos to the Telecommunications Investment Promotion Agency (Promtel), with whose dependence it maintains a Public-Association contract. Private since 2016 to design, install, operate and maintain the infrastructure of the Red Compartida, with which it is intended to connect most of the country’s territory.

The radio spectrum is an input of the State and one of the most important to enable connectivity services. In the case of the 700 MHz band, it is relevant for its propagation and coverage capacity to areas of less than 5,000 inhabitants, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), this spectrum is a basis for being able to offer 5G.

The company chaired by Carlos Lerma had the obligation to pay for the use and exploitation of the 700 MHz spectrum in March of this year, but the company, for reasons that are not public until now, requested an extension to pay off the debt.

“The company obtained an extension before the end of March (of this year) so that they could pay for the spectrum in July of this year, but they have not paid in full and only advanced a small part of the debt, about 5%,” said a source. with knowledge of the topic but who asked not to be identified because the topic is not public.

Altán must pay for the use of the 700 MHz spectrum no later than mid-December, which would imply 500 million pesos added to the interest accrued due to the delayed balance, “but it is likely that he will not do so because they are paying off other debts,” the source said.

The company in charge of the Red Compartida has faced liquidity problems since 2021, derived from the pandemic and the business model itself, forcing the company to omit obligations such as payment for the radio spectrum and enter bankruptcy; However, since 2022 with its financial restructuring, which meant the entry of the State into its operation, the company regained its balance, leading the general director himself, Carlos Lerma, to ensure that this year Altán will be profitable, but this would not be enough to cope. to their obligations.

Altán Redes has reported revenues for the second quarter of this year in the order of 2,086 million pesos, an increase of 43.8%, compared to the 1,450 million pesos entered in the same period last year, according to data from the Federal Telecommunications Institute ( IFT). But although sales increased, much of the money would have to go towards paying for spectrum, network maintenance and its bankruptcy obligations.

“Although the business plan has grown and with it its client portfolio, the operation and maintenance costs of the company are very high and the income is still not enough to be able to pay what is owed from the financial contest and its obligations. contractual issues such as the spectrum,” said Jorge Moreno Loza, a lawyer specialized in telecommunications and leader of the Expanzione firm.

For the specialist, Altán’s non-payment situation can also generate suspicion within the industry, because the government has shown a clear inclination to support this company and CFE Telecomunicaciones e Internet para Todos to achieve its objective of closing the digital divide. .

Altán’s default occurs at a time when the State gains greater strength within the company by acquiring a majority stake and even appropriating its debt, which amounts to 30,000 million pesos.

“I think that the government should make the policies and strategies they have with companies like Altán a little more transparent, because there are other operators that have returned spectrum or that owe resources for paying for bands to the State and the treatment is not the same. I believe that transparency is the ideal path for Altán to continue operating efficiently and avoid distortions in the market,” Moreno Loza warned.