Mexico's National Radio Spectrum Program 2026-2030

Mexico National Radio Spectrum Program 2026-2030: New Regulatory Roadmap for Telecom and Wireless Manufacturers

On May 18, 2026, the Government of Mexico officially published the Programa Nacional de Espectro Radioeléctrico 2026-2030 (PNER) Mexico's National Radio Spectrum Program 2026-2030 in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF). The program defines the country's five year strategy for managing, assigning, and modernizing the use of radio spectrum, establishing concrete targets to close Mexico's connectivity gap and align with international standards set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The PNER 2026-2030 stems from Mexico's National Development Plan 2025-2030 and is jointly backed by the Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (ATDT), the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT), the Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas (INPI), and the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP).

What the Mexico National Radio Spectrum Program 2026-2030 Establishes

The PNER recognizes a structural deficit in Mexico's spectrum availability. According to the official document, Mexico currently operates with only 695 MHz of spectrum in commercial exploitation for mass mobile services, roughly half of the 1.280 MHz recommended by the ITU as the optimal benchmark for quality, speed, and coverage of terrestrial connectivity networks.

To address this gap, the program sets out a phased plan to reach 1.095 MHz of spectrum available for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) by 2030, prioritizing rural areas, underserved regions, and Indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities.

Key strategic pillars include:

• More efficient, equitable, and public-interest-oriented spectrum management.

• Discounts on spectrum use fees in exchange for coverage obligations in geographic zones, highways, and rural roads.

• Simplification of local permitting and reduction of regulatory friction.

• Realistic and measurable coverage obligations in geographic zones, highways, and rural roads.

• Simplification of local permitting and reduction of regulatory friction.

• Realistic and measurable coverage obligations tailored to operator size supporting both large carriers and small/medium local providers.

• Stronger Mexican participation in international spectrum forums and modernization of regulatory mechanisms.

Timeline of Spectrum Allocation Goals (2026–2030)

Year	Spectrum Target (MHz in exploitation)
2026	765 MHz
2027	805 MHz
2028	905 MHz
2029	1,005 MHz
2030	1,095 MHz

The expansion will be driven by upcoming tender processes for social coverage frequencies, productive applications, and mass mobile broadband.

What This Means for Manufacturers

The PNER 2026-2030 is not only a policy roadmap, it directly affects manufacturers of wireless, radio-frequency, IoT, mobile, and broadcast-enabled products that place equipment on the Mexican market. Manufacturers should anticipate:

• New frequency bands becoming available for commercial use through CRT tenders between 2026 and 2030, including bands relevant to 5G, fixed wireless access, and IoT.

• Updated technical specifications and band plans that may require re-evaluation of existing product designs.

• Evolving homologation (NOM) requirements as the CRT modernizes regulatory instruments to reflect new band classifications.

• More flexible spectrum management schemes (shared spectrum, light licensing) that could open new product categories.

• Pressure on manufacturers to align device certifications with bands tied to social-coverage obligations, particularly for products targeting rural deployments.

In short: any product transmitting on Mexican spectrum, smartphones, routers, IoT modules, broadcast equipment, satellite terminals, industrial radios, will see its certification landscape shift over the next 18-36 months.

Certification Impact Summary

Area	Expected Impact
Product homologation (CRT certification)	New band-specific test requirements as auctions release additional frequencies.
Conformity assessment (NOMs)	Likely updates to NOMs covering radio equipment to reflect band reassignments.
Type approval timelines	Possible temporary congestion at certification bodies during tender cycles.
Labeling & technical documentation	Updated frequency-band declarations may be required for re-certifications.
Market access risk	Devices not aligned with new band plans may face delays or rejection.
5G and IMT products	Direct impact — new IMT bands will be released progressively through 2030.

Timeline + Required Actions for Manufacturers

Phase	Period	Required Action
Immediate (0–3 months)	May–August 2026	Review the full PNER document on the DOF. Map your product portfolio against current and upcoming Mexican frequency bands. Identify SKUs at risk.
Short-term (3–6 months)	Sept 2026 – Feb 2027	Engage with your certification partner to assess homologation status. Monitor CRT publications for upcoming tenders and band releases.
Medium-term (6–18 months)	2027	Adapt product technical files and test reports for new bands released under the 805 MHz target. Plan re-certifications where necessary.
Long-term (18–48 months)	2028–2030	Align product roadmaps with the 905 / 1,005 / 1,095 MHz milestones. Anticipate 5G/IMT band openings and integrate into design cycles.
Ongoing	Throughout	Track DOF publications, CRT acuerdos, and NOM revisions. Maintain proactive communication with your Approve-IT project manager.

Key Takeaways

• Mexico has officially acknowledged a structural spectrum deficit and set a clear five year path close it.

• The Mexico National Radio Spectrum Program 2026-2030 introduces gradual spectrum releases that will reshape the certification environment.

• Manufacturers should treat this update as a strategic planning trigger, not just a regulatory notice.

• Action in the next 90 days will determine market-access readiness for 2027-2028.