Regulatory roundup: 5G appeal, emergency response spectrum, digital divide and more

5G Ruling

Costa Rica's supreme court rejected a legal action filed by a union of state company ICE that sought to challenge regulations prohibiting the use of 5G equipment manufactured by Chinese players.

The ruling determined that the regulation “does not establish provisions that companies cannot comply with, nor does it discriminate against any particular company.” It added that the measure does not violate the constitution or international treaties.

In a press release, President Rodrigo Chaves and ICT minister Paula Bogantes expressed their concern about the delay in the ruling, especially since the regulation was suspended after the union filed the appeal, even though the supreme court had confirmed its legality.

Spectrum Allocation

Bolivian regulator ATT has approved the call and schedule for the allocation of frequencies in the 5GHz band for the provision of internet service through fixed devices in client homes in rural areas.

Interested companies may request the provision of frequencies through September 13.

ATT authorized the allocation of spectrum in 79 localities. Each applicant may be assigned a maximum of five sub-bands per locality.

The document can be seen here, in Spanish.

More Spectrum

Colombia's information and ICT ministry has granted spectrum usage permits to seven companies as part of a process to assign frequencies in the HF, VHF and UHF low bands.

Permits were granted for Auto Faca, Comseg Telecomunicaciones Seguras, a cooperative of security services, Laos Seguridad, Radionet Soluciones, Seguridad Jano and Unión de Tecnología Electrónica. 

In this fourth round, which closed on June 21, 13 companies submitted applications.

Details are available here, in Spanish.

Digital Divide

Peru's transport and communications ministry has started public consultation on a draft legislative decree to promote technological innovation and reduce the gap in infrastructure and access to telecoms services.

The draft can be seen here, in Spanish, and the consultation will be open for four weeks.

Emergencies

Colombia's spectrum agency ANE seeks comment on a document regarding spectrum usage conditions to support mission-critical activities, public safety, relief and disaster response.

ANE seeks to identify spectrum needs for emergency response agencies.

Comments can be submitted via this form or email espectroemergencias@ane.gov.co before August 28.

Public Consultation

The plenary session of Mexico's telecoms regulator IFT approved the public consultation process for three regulatory drafts to update the guidelines for collaboration between mobile operators in matters of security and justice, secure voice communications through public networks, and to modify guidelines for the marketing of services by virtual mobile operators.

The consultations will be open through September 5.

Details on the security and justice consultation are available here, on secure voice communications here, and VMNO services here.

Starlink

Cayman Islands regulator OrReg has banned the sale of Starlink satellite devices in retail stores because the company has not been authorized to provide services in the territory.

The measure is aimed at protecting consumers, local media reported.