Mauritius ICTA 5G Spectrum: 2300 & 2500 MHz Bands Opened

Mauritius Opens the 2300–2400 MHz Band and Frees Additional 2500–2690 MHz Spectrum for 5G

Mauritius has taken another step in its mid band 5G build out. On 4 June 2026, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) issued a decision opening the 2300–2400 MHz frequency band for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) networks and making available additional spectrum in the 2500–2690 MHz band. The instrument, referenced ICTA/DEC/02/2026, came into force on the day it was signed and replaces an earlier decision issued only weeks before.

For manufacturers, importers, and certification bodies serving the Mauritian market, the headline is not simply "more spectrum." The decision also fixes the technical envelope, standardisation requirements, and eligibility rules that will govern network and device operation in these bands and it reiterates that equipment must satisfy national type approval before it reaches the market.

What the ICTA Decision Actually Does

The decision does two distinct things, and the distinction matters for anyone tracking band availability:

• It opens the 2300–2400 MHz band for assignment to eligible mobile network operators (MNOs) for the operation of terrestrial IMT systems, supporting the continued evolution of existing 4G and 5G networks.

• It makes available additional spectrum in the 2500–2690 MHz band. This band was already opened for IMT back in 2021 under Decision ICTA/DEC/1/2021; the new instrument does not open it for the first time. Instead, it commits the Authority to consultations aimed at freeing further capacity there and potentially lifting an existing restriction on converting part of the band to 5G New Radio.

  
  

The decision also repeals and replaces, in full, the earlier Decision of 15 April 2026 (ICT/DEC/1/2026), which had first opened the 2300–2400 MHz band. That earlier instrument used a "beauty contest" comparative selection process to assign spectrum. After one operator applied and another raised concerns about the transparency and objectivity of that mechanism, the Authority reissued the decision, signalling a possible move toward auction based assignment under Section 24(2A) of the ICT Act 2001 (as amended).

Why the ICTA Is Widening Mid Band Access

The Authority frames the decision around operator demand for additional mid band capacity to support 5G and the transition to 5G Advanced (5G-A), standardised by 3GPP from Release 18. Mid band spectrum around 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz is well suited to 5G Advanced because it balances coverage and capacity. The ICTA links the move to national goals around digital transformation, smart infrastructure, and keeping Mauritius aligned with the global equipment ecosystem so it benefits from economies of scale.

Mauritius ICTA 5G Spectrum: Technical and Standardisation Conditions

This is the core of the decision for the certification audience. Operation in the 2300–2400 MHz band is subject to a fixed technical envelope:

• Duplex mode: Time Division Duplex (TDD).

• Channel plan: Twenty blocks of 5 MHz (2300–2400 MHz); operators may aggregate adjacent 5 MHz channels for wider carriers.

• Minimum block size: 5 MHz.

• Operating mode: Synchronised operation only, per the block edge mask (BEM) conditions in Annex 1.

• Frequency arrangement: ITU-R M.1036 arrangement E1, corresponding to 3GPP operating band 40 (n40 for 5G NR).

• Terminal in-block power: maximum 23 dBm, with further requirements per the relevant ETSI standard.

Applicable ETSI and EN Standards

Base stations and terminal stations operating in the 2300–2400 MHz band must comply with the following standards (Annex 2 of the decision):

Requirement	Base Station Equipment	Terminal Station Equipment
Spectrum 5G NR	ETSI EN 301 908-23; ETSI EN 301 908-25	ETSI EN 301 908-24
Spectrum LTE	ETSI EN 301 908-14	ETSI EN 301 908-13
EMC	ETSI EN 301 489-1; ETSI EN 301 489-50	ETSI EN 301 489-1; ETSI EN 301 489-52
Safety	EN 62368-1	EN 62368-1
EMF safety	—	EN 50360

Radio equipment within the scope of the decision must comply with applicable national type approval requirements and international standards, and operations must satisfy all applicable licensing obligations and type approval procedures as determined by the ICTA.

Who Can Access the Spectrum

Access is deliberately narrow. Assignment in both the 2300–2400 MHz and 2500–2690 MHz bands may only be made to eligible MNOs that have already deployed a 5G network and offered commercial services for more than two years. The Authority will engage in consultations with eligible operators to make spectrum available equitably; where no agreement is reached on access to currently available spectrum, it may proceed to an auction.

For the 2600–2640 MHz portion specifically, an earlier restriction on direct conversion to 5G NR (from the 2021 decision) may be lifted, subject to the outcome of these consultations.

What This Means for Manufacturers

While this is primarily a spectrum assignment and network deployment decision aimed at MNOs not a new stand alone device type approval instrument it carries concrete implications for equipment vendors and their certification partners:

• The technical baseline is now fixed for 2.3 GHz. Network equipment (base stations) and devices (handsets, CPE, IoT terminals) intended to operate in the 2300–2400 MHz band in Mauritius must align with 3GPP band 40 / n40, TDD synchronised operation, and the ETSI/EN standards listed above. Products that already support band 40/n40 for other markets are well positioned; those that do not will need to.

• 2500–2690 MHz demand is set to grow. As additional capacity is freed and the 5G NR conversion restriction is potentially lifted, expect increased operator interest in equipment supporting the 2.6 GHz band (commonly 3GPP band 7 / band 38 / band 41 family). Vendors should confirm their device band support matches operator roll out plans.

• Type approval remains mandatory and unchanged in principle. Equipment must still clear ICTA type approval before importation and commercialisation. This decision reinforces that requirement rather than creating a separate device certification track.

• Standards conformity is the practical entry ticket. Demonstrating compliance against the referenced ETSI EN and EN standards (spectrum, EMC, safety, EMF) is the substantive evidence base a certification body or test lab will expect for equipment destined for these bands.

  
  

Certification Impact Summary

Dimension	Impact
New device certification obligation created?	No new stand alone obligation. Existing ICTA type approval continues to apply.
Bands affected	2300–2400 MHz (newly opened); 2500–2690 MHz (additional spectrum being made available).
3GPP mapping (2.3 GHz)	Band 40 / n40 (ITU-R M.1036 arrangement E1), TDD synchronised operation.
Governing standards (2.3 GHz)	ETSI EN 301 908-23/-24/-25 (5G NR), EN 301 908-13/-14 (LTE), EN 301 489-1/-50/-52 (EMC), EN 62368-1 (safety), EN 50360 (EMF, phones).
Who may hold spectrum	MNOs with a deployed 5G network and >2 years of commercial service only.
Assignment mechanism	Consultation led; auction possible under Section 24(2A) ICT Act.
Effective date	4 June 2026 (in force).
Prior instrument status	15 April 2026 decision (ICT/DEC/1/2026) repealed in full.

Timeline and Required Actions

Date / Trigger	Event	Recommended Action
15 Apr 2026	ICTA first opens 2300–2400 MHz (beauty contest assignment)	Historical context; now superseded
4 Jun 2026	ICTA/DEC/02/2026 issued and in force repeals April decision, opens 2.3 GHz, adds 2.6 GHz spectrum	Update market access and band support records for Mauritius
Post decision (ongoing)	ICTA consultations with eligible MNOs on equitable access; possible lifting of 2600–2640 MHz 5G NR conversion restriction	Confirm device band 40/n40 and 2.6 GHz support; align product roadmaps with operator plans
If no consultation agreement	ICTA may proceed to spectrum auction under Section 24(2A)	Monitor for auction notices; brief affected MNO customers
Pre market (any equipment)	ICTA type approval + conformity to referenced ETSI/EN standards	Prepare test evidence against listed standards before importation/commercialisation