Peru proposes new rate for fiber optic backbone network

Peru's transport and communications ministry (MTC) presented a proposal to update the tariffs for the backbone fiber optic network with the aim of encouraging its use.

The document, which will be available for public consultation until September 26, updates the backbone network rates established in 2016 and which the MTC says are currently above market prices. 

“This is one of the reasons why, as of June 2023, limited use of this network has been reported, not surpassing 9% of its installed capacity,” the MTC stated in a release.

The current monthly rate is US$23/Mbps, not including value-added tax.

The new rate, which includes volume discounts for four speed ranges, will encourage competition and allow smaller companies to access the state backbone network, which connects 22 regional capitals and 180 provincial capitals.

The MTC will assess comments and/or suggestions from interested parties and the general public sent via email to info.DGPRC@mtc.gob.pe. The document is available at the following link.

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Economist Raúl Pérez Reyes Espejo was sworn in as Peru's new transport and communications minister.

The appointment marks Pérez Reyes Espejo's return to the sector after nine years. From 2011 to 2014, he served as deputy communications minister and worked at the production ministry.

He also held a post at the energy ministry and was a board member of ICT regulator Osiptel from 1999 to 2003.

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Colombia's ICT ministry announced a series of strategies to improve national connectivity during the Andicom international ICT conference, which took place last week.

The ministry announced a commitment to connectivity with telecoms operators so that they can connect 12mn Colombians with their own investments and certain obligations.

Another involves the preparation of public policy documents (Conpes) for the technology-based reindustrialization of the country.

Finally, Mintic is also advancing with preparations for the upcoming 5G auction on December 20 to allow operators to bid for spectrum.

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Paraguay's ICT ministry and the IDB have made available a tool to diagnose cybersecurity maturity to enable public and private sector organizations to identify their levels of maturity in terms of protection against cyber threats and for digital governance.

This self-assessment tool is based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and complemented by the CIS Controls standard. In Paraguay it has been adopted by the government for the public sector through ICT ministry resolution No. 277/2020.

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Six new members have been added to the board of Paraguayan regulator Conatel – four full members and two substitutes.

The new full members are Fernando Miguel Machuca Manevy, Andrés Isabelino Fulgencio Arrúa Rodríguez, Carlos Laureano Molinas Ozuna and Ever José Esquivel Meza.

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Venezuela and China signed a memorandum of understanding on issues regarding the processing and analysis of satellite images, reported Infobae.

The agreement, which was made during President Nicolás Maduro's visit to the Asian country, is in addition to a declaration of cooperation between the Venezuelan space agency Abae and the Chinese space administration CNSA, which was signed in June.

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Colombian regulator CRC presented for public consultation the problem formulation document for the project to review regulatory measures applicable to mobile services.

The document will serve as a basis for reflection and discussion with stakeholders regarding the causes and consequences of the issues associated with the lack of effective competition in the mobile services.

The consultation will be open until September 25.

More information about the project can be found here. To participate in the public consultation, emails can be sent to the email address measuresmoviles@crcom.gov.co or via the regulator's social networks.

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Costa Rican regulator Sutel launched a public consultation on the analysis guide for anti-competitive practices in the telecommunications sector. 

The guide is intended to promote transparency in the investigation of monopolistic and anticompetitive practices.

The public consultation will be valid until September 22, 2023 and interested parties may submit their comments by email to gestiondocumental@sutel.go.cr.