The Mexican units of America Movil (AMXL.MX) (AMX.N), controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, and Telefonica

(TEF.MC) are two of 17 companies that want to bid for new wireless spectrum, according to Mexico‘s telecommunication regulator Cofetel.

The spectrum auctions, which are expected to pit media and cable companies against wireless giants, are part of a government push to stoke competition in the industry long dominated by Carlos Slim’s companies.

A partnership between media conglomerate Televisa (TLVACPO.MX)(TV.N) and NII Holdings Inc (NIHD.O) as well as companies controlled by Ricardo Salinas Pliego, including broadcaster TV Azteca (TVAZTCACPO.MX), are planning bids, according to the Cofetel document released late on Wednesday.

Mexican cable operator Megacable (MEGACPO.MX) is also on the list.

Mexico’s telecommunications watchdog Cofetel said it will auction nine blocks of frequencies, ranging from 1850 to 1990 MHz, including frequencies covering the coveted Mexico City area.

Cofetel also foresees auctioning seven blocks of frequencies within the 1710 to 2170 MHz range covering all of the Mexican territory. (Reporting by Cyntia Barrera Diaz, editing by Gerald E. McCormick) ((cyntia.barrera@thomsonreuters.com: +52 55 5282 7153

• Cofetel will auction nine blocks of spectrum in the 1850MHz-1990MHz band in eight of the country’s nine mobile telephony operating regions, including the capital Mexico City, the regulator said in a document published in the Official Gazette.

Cofetel said it will also offer in a separate auction seven blocks of spectrum between 1710MHz and 2170MHz in all nine operating regions, which could give auction winners a nationwide presence with spectrum capable of supporting third-generation wireless services such as high-speed Internet.

Cofetel said it will offer sufficient bandwidth to allow existing operators to meet their spectrum needs as well as open the door to new investors.