Roundup: telco contribution, datacenter investigation, satellite use, and more

CONTRIBUTION

Colombia's ICT ministry (Mintic) is studying an update to the single periodic consideration, currently at 1.9% of gross income and paid by operators of telecoms, television and audiovisual and sound broadcasting services.

The levy was introduced in 2020.

INVESTIGATION

Colombia's attorney general's office began an investigation into officials of telecoms provider ETB for allegedly causing financial damage in a 23.8 billion-peso (US$5.76mn) deal related to the Alma datacenter project.

Authorities are investigating anomalies in the planning, construction and implementation stages.

COMPETITION

Panama plans to analyze if a third telecoms player is still required, as the market consolidated after the exit of Digicel and the failure of a tender to attract a replacement.

Under current law, at least three players must operate in the market, but Tigo and Cable & Wireless Panamá unit Más Móvil remain the only ones.

“That segment that the third company leaves will have to be reviewed by the entities governing these issues,” local media reported President José Raúl Mulino as saying.

SATELLITES

Brazilian regulator Anatel updated the technical and operational requirements for the use of satellites, making channeling associated with private limited service (PLS) more flexible through satellite infrastructure.

PLS includes scientific applications such as data collection, meteorology, space operation and research.

FUND

Four new advisers to the managing council of universal telecoms services fund Fust have been named by Brazil's communications ministry.

The advisers' terms started on May 5, but the ministry released the names only on Friday.

Marcos Adolfo Ribeiro Ferrari and Daniela Lopes Martins will represent the providers for two years, while civil society representatives Rosilda Santos Rachadel Prates and Antonio Carlos Tiecher Porto will serve three years.

Fust is fed by 1% of the operators' gross income. The fund will receive a total of 2.9bn reais by 2026.