Mexican regulator allows CFE-TEIT to target unsatisfied demand in marginal areas

Mexican telecom regulator IFT modified the concession title of CFE Telecomunicaciones e Internet de Todos (CFE-TEIT) to enable the state operator to serve the economically marginalized population even if there are already other operators offering the service.

Previously, CFE-TEIT was authorized to provide non-profit telecommunications services except in locations that already had operators.

Now, CFE-TEIT is allowed to go after demand unmet by other operators, under certain conditions.

According to the new concession title, CFE-TEIT will be able to offer non-profit services to people over 14 years of age and who are considered disadvantaged. In addition, the regulator imposed a limit of 4.2mn people who can receive the service, which is equivalent to the number of people between 14 and 65 years old who are in a disadvantaged situation, according to the latest household survey.

The regulator says that no risks to competition were identified.

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IFT launched an investigation into possible monopolistic practices in public procurement for telecommunications services.

The investigation, which began following a complaint, will look into any contracts, agreements, arrangements or combinations between competing economic agents that have the objective of establishing or coordinating positions or abstentions from tenders and auctions, as well as exchanging information on public procurement procedures for fixed telecommunications services, according to local newspaper Milenio.

The names of the companies involved were not revealed.

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Arsat's shareholders appointed its former technology director, Mariano Greco, as the new chairman of the Argentine state telecommunications company.

The cabinet also appointed Lucas Guillermo Daniel Cáceres as director of the national information technology office for 180 days from January 1, 2024.

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As of March 1, Chile 's digital government division will move from the ministry for congressional affairs to the finance ministry.

Francisco Méndez from the Chilean business association Chiletec, said “that this division will be close to the center of finance is an interesting change since it can help solve resource issues, but it will not resolve the issue of the faculties that this service should have for an effective digital transformation of the State," reported Diario Financiero.

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Uruguay and Paraguay will advance in the implementation of roaming at local prices between both countries following the ratification of the agreement to eliminate international roaming charges among Mercosur countries signed in 2019.

Uruguay was the first country to ratify the agreement in 2020. The Paraguayan congress followed suit on January 23 this year.

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Brazilian regulator Anatel will hold a public hearing on February 21 on a proposal to review the regulation of the use of radio spectrum.

The hearing will be held in a hybrid manner at Anatel's regional offices in Ceará, Fortaleza state, and will be broadcast on the regulator's YouTube channel.

To participate you must register at the following link. Questions can also be sent in writing to this email regulamentacao@anatel.gov.br

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The draft resolution that establishes a methodology for verifying compliance with mobile service coverage obligations in Colombia will be available for consultation until February 28.

The proposal promoted by ICT ministry Mintic will contribute to guaranteeing compliance with the obligations acquired in radio spectrum auctions and renewal of spectrum use permits.

The draft regulation can be seen at the following link.

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Colombia’s ICT minister Mauricio Lizcano signed an MOU with India to promote digital government, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure and talent training in the South American country.

It was agreed to create a joint working group to strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the two countries.

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Costa Rica’s science, innovation, technology and telecommunications ministry (Micitt) signed an agreement with cybersecurity company CrowdStrike to collaborate on security issues and the holding of summits, seminars and conferences.

Micitt has been working on several cybersecurity initiatives. Recently, together with educational institute INA and cybersecurity education and consulting company Elev8, it concluded a program to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities in 20 SMEs and small and medium-sized agricultural producers.

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Uruguay’s industry, energy and mining ministry signed an MOU with Nvidia to collaborate on professional training issues, good data governance practices, cybersecurity and promotion of artificial intelligence research datacenters.

Similar agreements have been signed with Microsoft, Amazon and Qualcomm Technologies, the ministry reported.