(Telecompaper) Colombia has awarded 4G licences to five companies, raising COP 770 billion (EUR 308 million) that will go to expanding ICT access in rural areas. Movistar made the highest bid, paying COP 197.9 billion for a block in the AWS band, the ICT ministry announced. Claro paid COP 120 billion for 30 MHz in the 2.5 GHz band, and DirecTV paid COP 149 billion for a block of 30 MHz plus 40 MHz reserve band in the 2.5 GHz range. Avantel and a consortium of ETB and Tigo each acquired blocks in the AWS band (1.7/2.1 GHz), for respectively COP 107.5 billion and COP 195.7 billion. Azteca was the sixth bidder in the auction but did not acquire any spectrum. As part of the licence conditions, the operators will be required to buy a certain number of tablets for students and meet coverage obligations based on the number of municipalities. Release of the spectrum will be conducted in coordination with the military and police, which are currently using some of the bands.