Regulatory roundup: New Nicaraguan law, Colombia regulatory agenda, and more

New telecom law in Nicaragua

Nicaragua's national assembly approved the general law on convergent telecommunications, which is aimed at modernizing the legal framework for telecommunications.

The regulation empowers regulator Telcor to plan, manage and guarantee the efficient use of telecommunications infrastructure and services, and includes recommendations from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) intended to promote competition and high-speed connectivity.

The legislation has been criticized by local media for the limits on freedom of expression included in some of the articles.

Colombian regulatory agenda

Colombia's ICT ministry has published the draft regulatory agenda for 2025 for comment. 

The agenda includes projects from the departments of telecommunications and digital transformation, as well as from national spectrum agency ANE

The ministry will accept comments until November 30 at the email address lmongui@mintic.gov.co . More information can be found here.

For its part, regulator CRC also published its draft regulatory agenda for 2025, which includes 32 activities including regulatory projects, studies and activities on the topics of well-being and rights of users and audiences, markets and competition, innovation and regulatory improvement, management of value groups and institutional strengthening.

The regulator will receive comment the draft regulatory agenda until November 18, 2024 via email at agendaregulatoria@crcom.gov.co. More information is available here.

New Osiptel head

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte appointed Ferrer Anivar Rodríguez Rodríguez as the new head of regulator Osiptel. 

The appointment, endorsed by the cabinet, comes after Rafael Muente Schwarz was suspended from his post for 365 days as a disciplinary sanction.

The appointment of Rodríguez is temporary until a replacement is appointed after a public competition or until Muente Schwarz's suspension ends.

Costa Rica coverage

The Costa Rican communications ministry (Micitt) and the federation of western municipalities (Fedoma) announced that nine municipalities in the region will adopt the executive decree that establishes technical specifications for the installation of telecommunications infrastructure with the aim of promoting the deployment of coverage.

The decision of the local governments of San Ramón, Grecia, San Mateo, Naranjo, Palmares, Poás, Zarcero, Sarchí and Río Cuarto reduces regulatory obstacles and harmonizes canton regulations with national regulations, creating a favorable environment for investment in telecommunications infrastructure and the expansion of service coverage, especially for the deployment of 5G networks.

In addition to the western region, at least five municipalities in other regions have been adopting the regulation.

Bolivia cable theft

Bolivian regulator ATT announced the start of criminal proceedings against those responsible for the theft of telecommunications cables.

According to official data from the ATT, in recent months there have been 108 cases of vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure in the municipalities of La Paz, El Alto, Santa Cruz, La Guardia and Warnes, which has left nearly 290,000 users without service and caused significant economic losses.

Bolivia-China agreement

The Bolivian government signed an MOU with China to boost cooperation in the digital economy.

Head of international relations at regulator ATT, Alan Borda, said that the agreement will allow companies and state entities from both countries to participate in digitalization and technological modernization projects, including the deployment of 5G technology, implementation of datacenters, and advanced AI and IoT technologies.

Brazilian sustainability

The IDB will select a consultancy to conduct a situational assessment and design actions to promote the ESG agenda in the telecommunications sector in Brazil, within the framework of a strategic alliance signed with regulator Anatel to promote good environmental practices in the telecommunications sector.

The selection process seeks to identify those interested in providing consulting services that include diagnostic studies on climate investment in the telecommunications sector, international benchmarking, proposed action plans and regulations, as well as support for the implementation of a pilot project for a seal and an award for climate investment.

Information on this search is available here.