ICT regulatory roundup: Mexican watchdog may disappear, Colombia infra deployment rules and more

Mexican constitutional reform may end IFT

The constitutional reform approved by the constitutional committee of Mexico's lower house of congress recently opens the door to the possible disappearance of autonomous agencies such as telecommunications regulator IFT.

"The ruling approved proposes constitutional changes that imply the resurgence of an institutional model in telecommunications and broadcasting, which demonstrated serious limitations in ensuring that more people had access to more and better services, as well as in increasing competition in the telecommunications and broadcasting markets," the IFT said in a press release.

Colombian infra deployment rules

Colombia's ICT ministry (Mintic) published the regulations for the deployment of telecommunications networks and infrastructure that was approved on August 14.

The initiative seeks to promote the deployment of telecommunications networks and infrastructure, as well as to coordinate intervention in public spaces and promote the standardization of functions of regional agencies.

The document states that regional agencies may not establish greater requirements than those set out in the regulations to allow the installation of telecommunications infrastructure.

Mintic will be responsible for creating a single application form for authorization to deploy telecommunications networks.

The full text can be downloaded in the documents box in the upper right-hand corner.

REVOCATION APPEAL

Uruguay's telecommunications workers' union, Sutel, has filed an appeal against state-owned telco Antel's resolution authorizing the opening of its network so that other operators can offer fixed connectivity services over the infrastructure.

The union is also calling for the resolution to be made public, as the text of the regulation has not been published.

Union leader Florencia Leymonié described the resolution as “inappropriate and absolutely incorrect” and added that it is “one more link in a chain that is suffocating Antel.”

Peruvian regulatory sandbox

Peru's transport and communications ministry (MTC) has published a decree to promote the creation of controlled spaces for experimentation and development (sandboxes) and to allow companies to pay economic obligations through the deployment of infrastructure.

Both measures are aimed at promoting technological innovation, reducing the infrastructure gap and promoting greater access to telecommunications services.

The document will be available for public consultation for 30 calendar days. The full regulations can be seen here.

Argentine watchdog updates radioelectric rate unit 

Communications regulator Enacom adjusted the reference value of the radioelectric rate unit (UTR) to 770.41 Argentine pesos (US$0.81).

This value will be used to calculate the radioelectric fees and rates paid by ICT service licensees for each station, system and radioelectric service operating in the country. The figure is updated based on the percentage change in the minimum wage.

In August 2023, the UTR was set at 319.70 pesos.

Repeal of requirement to issue monthly information on mobile plans   

Argentina's trade and industry ministry repealed resolution 176 of 2014, which required mobile communications service providers to provide monthly information on all plans offered.

Colombia's SIC investigating telcos

Colombia's trade and industry superintendency (SIC) has launched an investigation into Movistar, Tigo and WOM for alleged lack of in-person customer service and failure to comply with the user protection regime, local newspaper La República reported.

The investigation was started after inspection visits by SIC officials to the city of Inírida, Guainía department.