Guyana lawmakers pass electronic communications and transactions bill

Guyana's national assembly passed the electronic communications and transactions bill, the legal framework to regulate, validate and recognize electronic communications, transactions, transfers and payments.

The legislation gives legal recognition to electronic transactions, specifies the technological requirements and establishes the administrative framework.

It is expected that the approval of this law will facilitate the implementation of electronic governance, providing a platform for the delivery of government services.

The legislation does not apply to certain sensitive transactions, such as the making of wills and the conveyance or transfer of any interest in real estate or personal property.

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Mediafon Datapro UAB will manage the number portability database in Peru for the period 2024-29. The company was awarded the contract last week.

According to the proposal presented by the company, the new variable charge for effective portability processing will be 0.11 soles (not including VAT), a 76% reduction compared to the current rate of the administrator Inetum España.

In addition to Mediafon Datapro, Inetum España and Iconectiv Perú participated in the process.

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Peru’s transport and communications ministry published for comments a document that seeks to evaluate and present technical alternatives for the expansion of mobile coverage.

The document characterizes and segments the population centers that are part of the coverage gap in Peru.

More information can be seen (in Spanish) at this link.

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Peru's watchdog Osiptel published several telecoms-related regulations in the first week of August.

It determined that operators may not apply rate increases or reduce plans of users who have an additional contract for financing the acquisition of equipment until the term of the additional contract ends.

Likewise, it published for comments a project that modifies the conditions for the use of public telecommunications services and the complementary norms for the implementation of the national registry of mobile terminal equipment for security reasons. The document will be available for comment for 15 days. More information at this link.

The regulator also opened for comment the draft regulation on number portability for mobile and fixed telephony services. These will be open to public consultation for 20 business days. More information at this link.

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Colombian regulator CRC modified its 2023-24 agenda to incorporate six new projects with the aim of addressing new mandates and needs for the promotion of the ICT, postal and audiovisual sectors.

In terms of telecommunications, the update of the measures related to the register of excluded numbers was added, which regulates the channels, schedules and periodicity for contacting users for purposes of collection, among others.

Additionally, the work plan for projects related to television, a review of the methodology for updating regulated rates, and a review of tools for continuous improvement of the quality of 4G mobile services, among others, were modified.

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Colombia’s national spectrum agency (ANE) extended until October 31 the term for providers of mobile telecommunications networks and services to submit documents in relation to the restriction of telecommunications signals in prisons.

For more information, see resolution 0510 of 2023 by clicking here.

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Venezuelan regulator Conatel and operators Movilnet, Movistar and Digitel presented a new accessible internet service plan for young people that combines telephony and data.

The plan, available to people between the ages of 18 and 24, offers 3Gbps for browsing, 100 minutes for calls and 200 text messages per month.

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As of end-July, some 242,485 users registered in the Uruguay Do Not Call registry, which lists users who do not wish to be contacted through telecommunications services, such as telephony, SMS, mobile applications or platforms. 

The Do Not Call registry has been active since May 2022. Since then, 2,358 complaints have been received and 148 companies have consulted the registry.