Argentina 2.3 GHz spectrum opens for private 4G/5G networks
Argentina’s regulator ENACOM has created a new licensing framework and reserved spectrum to let enterprises run stand-alone private mobile networks across critical industries.
ENACOM 2.3 GHz private network policy
ENACOM has designated the 2300–2400 MHz band for Private Wireless Broadband Systems, a category designed for on-premise, non-public LTE/5G networks serving operational technology and enterprise applications rather than consumer subscribers.
The framework supports high-throughput, low-latency, and massive IoT use cases, enabling enhanced video, automation, and machine communications across industrial campuses and field operations; 2.3 GHz maps to widely supported 3GPP Band 40 (LTE TDD) and NR n40, giving enterprises access to a mature device and radio ecosystem.
SPIBA Interior vs General: indoor/outdoor private 5G/LTE
Two deployment modalities are defined: SPIBA Interior for indoor-only systems in enclosed facilities like factories, warehouses, or terminals, and SPIBA General for outdoor-capable systems that can cover both inside and outside areas such as ports, mines, and oil fields.
Outdoor SPIBA General deployments are limited to the operator’s property or clearly bounded “areas of operation,” with coverage footprints up to roughly 400 km² and with strict obligations to avoid harmful interference beyond the site perimeter.
Licensing, channelization, and 10 MHz allocations
The 100 MHz band is split into ten channels of 10 MHz each, with a 10-year assignment term and renewal option; fees vary by modality (indoor, outdoor, or both) and scope of deployment.
ENACOM plans to allocate four channels for Interior on a first-come/on-demand basis, four channels for General via competitive processes (bidding/auction/public contest), and two channels flexibly based on specific needs and conditions.
Per-site caps apply: Interior applicants may receive up to six channels where available, while General caps will be set after ENACOM gauges demand; if more than one applicant seeks spectrum in the same area, a competitive award process will be triggered.
Why 2.3 GHz private networks matter for Argentina’s industries
Dedicated spectrum lowers the barrier for industrial players to deploy mission-critical wireless, aligning national productivity goals with predictable local spectrum access.
Industrial IoT use cases with measurable ROI
Mining and oil and gas can connect autonomous haulage, condition monitoring, worker safety systems, and computer vision inspection in harsh environments where Wi-Fi struggles.
Ports and airports can modernize yard operations, track assets, orchestrate AGVs, and enable high-definition video analytics, while agribusiness can automate field machinery and telemetry across large, remote plots.
Construction, road, and rail operators gain deterministic, site-wide mobility for push-to-talk, drones, and field engineering applications that require uplink performance and latency consistency.
Band 40/n40 device and ecosystem readiness
Band 40/n40 enjoys broad support in modems, CPEs, handhelds, and industrial modules, translating into shorter lead times and competitive equipment pricing compared with niche bands.
Enterprises can start with 4G/LTE for coverage, uplink efficiency, and mature QoS, and evolve to 5G NR for advanced features as their application mix demands lower latency, tighter determinism, or higher density.
Technical trade-offs of 2.3 GHz private networks
The mid-band choice and 10 MHz channelization introduce both design advantages and capacity constraints that architects must plan around.
2.3 GHz coverage and performance considerations
At 2.3 GHz, enterprises get a favorable coverage-to-capacity balance versus higher mid-band (e.g., 3.5 GHz), helping indoor penetration and reducing site counts across large campuses and open-pit operations.
That said, the available bandwidth per site will typically fall in the 50–60 MHz range, below the 80–100 MHz channel sizes often cited for peak 5G throughput, which will cap headline speeds but still comfortably serve most industrial workloads when engineered with LTE/NR carrier aggregation and sensible QoS.
TDD synchronization and interference mitigation
Because the band is TDD, frame alignment between neighboring private systems—and with any adjacent-band deployments—is essential to avoid cross-link interference and to preserve uplink reliability.
Enterprises should plan for RF containment measures (power control, antenna patterns, shielding for Interior) and comply with emissions limits to ensure signals do not degrade networks outside the authorized area.
Backhaul, edge computing, and NPN security
Reliable backhaul (fiber, licensed microwave, or satellite for remote sites) and on-prem edge computing will be key to meeting latency targets for closed-loop control and real-time analytics.
Architectures should follow 3GPP non-public network (NPN) models, with private PLMN IDs, SIM/eSIM lifecycle management, segmentation of IT/OT domains, and zero-trust controls anchored in robust identity and policy.
Private network procurement and market models in Argentina
With local spectrum secured, enterprises can choose between building fully private networks or sourcing managed private solutions from carriers and neutral hosts.
Build vs partner: private 4G/5G deployment options
Large companies with the scale and operational maturity to run telco-grade infrastructure are positioned to self-build and keep control over data, latency policy, and change windows.
Others may co-deploy with mobile network operators such as Movistar or Telecom Argentina, leveraging managed services, shared RAN (MORAN/MOCN), or integration with public slices for wide-area extensions.
Vendor landscape, Band 40 support, and local expertise
The equipment stack spans industrial-grade private 5G/LTE platforms from global vendors and system integrators, including pre-integrated RAN/core solutions, edge platforms, and orchestration that support Band 40/n40 out of the box.
Enterprises should evaluate vendor roadmaps for Release 16/17 features, device certification in 2.3 GHz, local support presence, and references in mining, energy, and transport environments similar to Argentine conditions.
Next steps to deploy private networks in Argentina
A practical, phased plan—anchored in business outcomes and standards—will de-risk deployment and secure spectrum early.
Immediate actions: spectrum applications and pilots
Inventory candidate sites and define “areas of operation,” then submit applications for Interior channels where needed and register interest for General allocations to position for competitive processes.
Run RF surveys and pilot in a high-impact zone to validate propagation, interference, and application SLAs, choosing LTE first where device diversity and uplink throughput are paramount, and adding 5G for advanced workloads.
Design principles: TDD, QoS, and resilience
Align TDD frame configuration across sites, engineer for uplink-heavy traffic, and set QoS profiles tied to operational priorities (safety systems first, then automation, then video and IT traffic).
Build in redundancy for power, backhaul, and core functions, and create a compliance runbook covering spectrum use, emissions, and cybersecurity aligned to OT processes.
KPIs and ROI tracking for private networks
Define measurable outcomes—downtime reduction, throughput per shift, incident response time, fuel savings—and track them against a total cost of ownership model that includes spectrum fees, operations, and device lifecycle.
12–18 month outlook for Argentina’s private 5G/LTE
Regulatory detail and ecosystem evolution will influence cost, timelines, and performance ceilings.
ENACOM execution: caps, auctions, enforcement
Monitor ENACOM’s final channel caps for General SPIBA, auction calendars, renewal conditions, and enforcement of interference rules, as well as type-approval guidance for 2.3 GHz equipment.
Spectrum roadmap and 3GPP Release 17/18
Watch for potential band expansions or complementary allocations (e.g., 3.5 GHz) and the arrival of 3GPP Release 17/18 features and RedCap devices that could broaden the industrial device mix and lower costs.
Carrier-managed private and hybrid models
Expect carriers to refine managed private and hybrid models, including packaged SLAs, integration with public network slices for mobility beyond the fence line, and outcome-based pricing tailored to heavy-industry KPIs.
