Subtel may fine operators up to US$35mn for illicit charges

Chile's telecoms regulator Subtel may fine five telecom operators up to 21bn pesos (US$35mn) for illegally charging for calls made to busy or disconnected mobile phones, local paper La Tercera reported. The regulator has reviewed 700 cases of improperly charged calls and will levy fines between 200,000 pesos and 30mn pesos for each infraction, the paper said. In its examination, the regulator found discrepancies at two fixed line operators and three mobile operators, according to the paper. The operators - which were not named - have until December 19 to respond to the charges. Up to 5% of reported traffic is being charged illegally, according to Guido Girardi, the congressman who led the initiative behind Subtel's investigation. That would mean operators' revenues from illicit charges total between US$80mn and US$100mn, he said.