On January 6, 2026, the Mexican government, through the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT), published the Programa Anual de Uso y Aprovechamiento de Bandas de Frecuencias (PABF) 2026. In English, this is called the Annual Program for the Use and Exploitation of Frequency Bands.
CRT publishing PABF 2026 in the Official Gazette of the Federation (in Spanish, “DOF”). The date of publication is also the effective date of the program, in accordance with its provisions.
The reference for CRT publishing PABF 2026 is Article 37 of the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law. The regulation states that CRT is required to publish an annual program no later than December 31 of each year.
PABF is an annual program for the use and exploitation of frequency bands, which identifies specific frequencies or frequency bands of the spectrum that will be subject to government tender or may be granted directly.
The purpose of CRT Publishing PABF 2026
CRT publishing PABF 2026 is certainly not without purpose. The program specifies the frequencies and frequency bands of certain spectrums that can be allocated directly or through government tenders.
Additionally, the program also classifies them according to their use. The basic characteristics associated with each band will be determined based on the allocated services, the geographical coverage where the services will be available, and the category of radiocommunication services associated with it.
The frequency band can be granted for commercial use through a government tender procedure or allocated directly if it is intended for public, private, or social use.
The Frequency Bands Considered for the 2026 Program
Frequency bands considered by CRT Publishing PABF 2026 are separated into broadcasting and public telecommunications services.
Regarding the public broadcasting service:
| Service | Frequency band | Usage mode |
| AM sound broadcasting | 535 – 1705 kHz | Commercial and social |
| FM sound broadcasting | 88 – 108 MHz | Commercial, public and social |
| DTT | 54 – 72 MHz (VHF) 76 – 88 MHz (VHF) 174 – 216 MHz (VHF) 470 – 608 MHz (UHF) | Commercial, public and social |
And, as regards the public telecommunications service:
| Service | Frequency band | Usage mode |
| Wireless access | 614 – 698 MHz | Commercial |
| 814 – 824 / 859 – 869 MHz* | ||
| 1850 – 1915 / 1930 – 1995 MHz** | ||
| 2500 – 2690 MHz | ||
| Fixed Wireless | 10.15 – 10.65 GHz | |
| 37 – 38.6 GHz | ||
| Intelligent radiocommunications | 2300 – 2400 MHz | |
| 3400 – 3700 MHz*** | ||
| Intelligent radiocommunications | 2300 – 2400 MHz | Private |
| 3400 – 3700 MHz*** | ||
| Trunked radio | 415 – 420 / 425 – 430 MHz | Public |
| 806 – 814 / 851 – 859 MHz* | ||
| Wireless access | 1850 – 1915 / 1930 – 1995 MHz | |
| 2300 – 2400 MHz | ||
| Mobile communication | 824 – 849 / 869 – 894 MHz | Social |
| Wireless access | 2300 – 2400 MHz |
** The 1875-1885/1955-1965 MHz frequency segment is included in the 2026 Program for public use, so if this segment is assigned in whole or in part for public use, it would not be available for commercial use.
*** The operation of this band will be subject to the technical conditions established by the Commission for coexistence with the Fixed Satellite Service and the protection of existing services.
The Use of 5G for the Industrial Sector
CRT publishing PABF 2026 also includes the operational use of 5G in Mexico’s industrial sector. However, its success will depend on regulatory certainty, appropriate spectrum pricing, and continued investment from operators.
This is certainly an effort by the government to keep up with global competition in industrial digitalization. The global implementation of 5G in Mexico uses the 3400-3700 MHz frequency band. This applies to both commercial and personal use.
The Impact on Mexico Type Approval
Regulatory changes in certain countries will have an impact on the certification process. Similarly, Mexico type approval will certainly have an impact on CRT publishing PABF 2026.
This program requires manufacturers and importers to comply with the frequency bands listed in the latest program. As mentioned, this program is valid from the date of its publication, which is January 6, 2026.