ICT regulatory watch: Satellite regulations, emergency alert investigation, Digicel probe closed and more

Argentina's new satellite regulation 

Argentina's innovation, science and technology department updated the regulations and simplified the requirements for registering and providing satellite services.

The new regulations unify the registration procedure for both geostationary and non-geostationary satellites. 

To provide services using by non-Argentine satellites, the regulation includes the possibility of requiring reciprocity agreements. 

US Digicel probe

Digicel has notify its shareholders that the US closed the investigation related to possible violation of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), newspaper the Irish Independent reported. 

The investigation was halted after Donald Trump's executive order to pause all investigations and enforcement actions brought under the FCPA. The uncertainty regarding the probe led to the suspension of Digicel's US$2.8bn refinancing plans.

WOM vs Chile case

The ICSID has determined the members of the arbitration tribunal in the case filed by WOM against the Chilean State. 

WOM appealed to the ICSID after Chile said it intended to execute the guarantees for failing to comply with 5G deployment commitments. 

Portuguese lawyer Sofia Martins has been selected to preside over the tribunal. WOM appointed Argentine lawyer Óscar Garibaldi and the Chilean State chose French lawyer Alexis Mourre, according to local newspaper La Tercera. 

Emergency alert system audit

Chilean regulators Subtel and Senapred are conducting a joint audit to determine the causes of a text message sent from the emergency alert system (SAE) to cellphones last week.  

Subtel ordered telephone companies to submit reports on the system's operation within two business days in accordance with regulations and present corrective measures, if necessary.

Approximately 1,300 silent tests are carried out each month to ensure the system's proper functioning.

Technical coexistence studies

Colombia's spectrum agency ANE opened a public consultation to receive comments regarding technical coexistence studies of the satellite mobile system with IMT land mobile networks in the 698MHz to 2,700MHz frequency range and between direct to device satellite technology and IMT in 4GHz. 

ANE will finance up to 70% of the value of each project. A call for proposals will be opened to higher education institutions, research centers or institutes and public, private or mixed organizations dedicated to the generation of scientific and technological knowledge.