ASEP Gets No Bids for Third Mobile Operator Concession
PANAMA CITY, August 12, 2026 – ASEP reported that no companies submitted proposals during the prequalification reception act for public tender No. 01-2026-Telco, Telemetro reported.
The process was intended to award concession No. 106 for personal communications service and bring a third mobile cellular operator into Panama market.
ASEP national telecommunications director Alkin Saucedo confirmed that the act closed without offers, but said the institution will review the process documentation.
According to the report, ASEP will evaluate whether to call a second prequalification process.
The failed reception matters because Panama has been seeking more competition, investment and options for mobile users at a time of rising data consumption.
A third operator could affect pricing, coverage, service quality and network investment, but only if the concession terms attract viable bidders.
Why it matters
Mobile competition affects consumers, businesses and national digital connectivity.
What happens next
ASEP will review the file and decide whether a second call can be structured to attract participants.
