Complementing operators’ own 5G rollouts, the programme reflects government priorities to close the digital divide while modernising the country’s telecoms infrastructure
ENACOM has launched a neutral wholesale network programme to boost 5G access across Argentina
On 8 July 2025, the Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENACOM), Argentina’s telecoms and media regulator, launched the Programa Red Mayorista Neutral – the neutral wholesale network programme. The initiative forms part of the wider National Critical Communications Infrastructure Plan, which was adopted in April 2025. It aims to improve access to 5G connectivity in unserved and underserved areas by fully or partially providing financing, network equipment and/or software to “licensees of ICT services”, including mobile operators, that have been in the market for at least two years. The scope of the scheme is focused specifically on the development of wholesale level infrastructure, explicitly excluding support for the direct provision of services to end users.
The scheme’s priorities centre around improving network performance and management and reducing digital exclusion
ENACOM has outlined several key ambitions for the programme, including:
Promoting the deployment of a neutral wholesale network, based on principles of openness, interoperability and shared use;
Increasing digital inclusion (especially among vulnerable or geographically isolated communities) by providing access to affordable and high-quality connectivity and services;
Stimulating public-private partnerships and co-financing schemes involving cooperatives, SMEs and operators;
Improving the quality of fixed and mobile services in areas with poor coverage or “network saturation” by installing and upgrading infrastructure; and
Encouraging the efficient use of spectrum and network resources through open and shared architectures, in line with international best practices.
Money from the USF will directed into a range of projects following an assessment by the regulator
The initiative will draw ARS60bn (£35.2m) from the budget of the National Critical Communications Infrastructure Plan, itself a reformulation of the operator-financed and heavily criticised Universal Service Trust Fund, which was dissolved at the beginning of the year. Money will then be channelled into “Specific Projects”, for example:
The installation or modernisation of network nodes and core equipment that integrate the ecosystem of a neutral wholesale network suitable for 5G and fixed wireless access (FWA) services; and
The acquisition and installation of active and passive equipment for the distribution of 5G traffic through radio access network (RAN) sharing agreements.
Funding will be distributed either via public, open and competitive tenders or directly by ENACOM, with the regulator assessing potential recipients according to various criteria, such as economic impact, technical feasibility, operational sustainability and the number of end users that would stand to benefit.
Similar initiatives in other countries have either been abandoned or run into financial difficulties
Neutral wholesale networks intended to ensure nationwide mobile broadband coverage have been launched in a handful of countries, but have not tended to fare well. In Mexico, the Government bailed out ALTAN Redes, the company that operates the country’s wholesale mobile network, Red Compartida. Meanwhile, Kenya, Russia and South Africa all took the decision to abandon single wholesale network (SWN) projects. Argentina is no stranger, however, to publicly funded digital infrastructure, with state-run provider Arsat running the Federal Fiber Optic Network (Refefo) since 2010. In fact, the new programme envisages financing the deployment, extension, expansion or adaptation of sections of Refefo to support the delivery of 5G traffic, particularly in less populated areas. By complementing operators’ ongoing 5G deployments, ENACOM will hope that the scheme encourages greater rural infrastructure investment and the sharing of network elements, with a view to strengthening economic, social and educational development across the country.
