Roundup: Chile tech transfer, Dominican Rep frequencies, Google and Meta in Paraguay, and more

Technology Transfer

The technology and innovation committee of Chile's lower house voted in favor of legislating a technology and knowledge transfer bill.

Promoted by the science ministry, the bill aims to establish a regulatory framework so that the value chain that links research, science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship includes capabilities to transfer technology and knowledge to society and industry.

Contested Frequencies

Dominican Republic company Grupo Telemicro alleged that electric power distribution companies are illegally using frequencies it owns, filing lawsuits against two electricity companies involving US$21mn, local press reported.

Regulator Indotel said in a statement that electrical measurement devices may use the 915-928MHz frequencies secondarily, without causing problems for mobile telephone services.

Primary use of the frequencies was assigned to Telemicro unit Satel, which is not operational. Indotel offered migration to another band, so that the service can be offered without interference.

Licensing of secondary use is in progress, Indotel said.

Investments

Executives of Google and Meta will visit Paraguay in coming weeks to address business opportunities in the country.

The visits were announced after President Santiago Peña and ICT minister Gustavo Villate met with representatives of both companies during a visit to the US.

That trip also enabled collaborations with Nvidia and Asus regarding government digitization and investment.

Community Networks

The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (Citel) signed an agreement with Rhizomatica related to the creation of autonomous community networks in the areas of electricity and telecoms to strengthen resilience in the face of natural disasters.

The project will benefit 10,000 people in localities in Chihuaha and Oazaca in Mexico and Salta and Jujuy in Argentina.

Additionally, the provision of training in languages and emergency communications for community networks is also planned.

Association Head

The president of Brazilian electrical and electronics industry association Abinee, Humbergo Barbato, assumed the rotating presidency of Latin American trade group Alainee for 2024-25. Abinee's international relations advisor, Mario Branco, was elected vice president.

Alainee is the main international entity in the electrical and electronic sector of the Mercosur trade bloc, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Collaboration

Regulator IFT and the Mexican academy of cybersecurity and digital law, Amcid, signed a collaboration agreement to establish the bases for joint work and carry out actions that affect research, education, science, technology, training and technological development in telecoms and broadcasting.

The agreement contemplates the creation of programs and projects, seminars and workshops, among others.

New Authorities

Argentine business group for digital infrastructure IDA appointed Leticia Vázquez as its new president, replacing Alejandro Lastra, director of regulation at Telefónica de Argentina, who had led the group since its creation.

Vázquez will hold the position for two years. She is a lawyer specialized in ICT regulations and audiovisual communication services.