Panama opens prequalification for third mobile operator tender

Panama is preparing to welcome a third mobile operator, with the National Public Services Authority (Asep) releasing prequalification criteria for a 20-year concession. Interested companies have until August 11 to submit their applications, and the tender is slated for December 1, 2026.

Edwin Castillo, Asep's deputy national director of telecommunications, stated that the prequalification criteria are now available for interested parties. This process is a crucial step toward diversifying Panama's mobile market, which has been dominated by only two main players since a significant merger and the subsequent exit of another operator.

Panama's cellular penetration stands at 111%, with over five million active lines as of 2025. The majority of these lines are prepaid (79%), with postpaid making up the remaining 21%. The government's initiative to bring in a third operator is a direct response to market consolidation, which saw Cable & Wireless Panamá merge with Claro Panamá, and Digicel Panamá subsequently liquidate its operations after a tender failed.

Recent market conditions have also prompted regulatory scrutiny. In early 2026, the consumer defense agency launched an investigation into potential monopolistic practices by the two remaining operators following a tariff increase. The introduction of a new competitor is expected to foster greater competition and potentially stabilize or reduce prices for consumers.