Snapshot: Argentine spectrum, school connectivity, universal fund

Argentine presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said the national government will make available for 5G mobile services the 100MHz of spectrum that the State reserved for Arsat for mobile communications, as well as 50MHz that are in the hands of regulator Enacom.

Although Adorni did not provide further details, the decision would concern the 3.5GHz spectrum bands that were reserved for the state-owned company in the last tender, as well as the 50MHz bands that were left vacant.

Enacom, when contacted by BNamericas, only responded that it had no details to share and stressed that it was seeking to use assets that were not being used.

Recently, both the innovation secretariat and Arsat said they were working to evaluate the future of the spectrum that the company has in disuse.

According to Adorni, the provision of more spectrum will allow for the promotion of investments to improve telecommunications services in the country “with fewer privileges for public companies.”

OTHER MEASURES

Adorni also announced the re-tendering of the connectivity service in 16,000 schools, a contract that currently has an annual value of 60bn pesos (US$61mn).

He also announced the repeal of resolution 1,421/20 of the watchdog that approves the regulation of subscription television services, as well as the obligation to include information signals in the grid. “With this, the asymmetries between ICT and audiovisual services will be corrected,” said Adorni.

The asymmetry between regulation for pay TV service providers and OTTs is one of the historical complaints of the sector.

In addition, he said a survey of all existing telecommunications contracts will be carried out to analyze their compliance. He also urged the anti-trust regulator to launch an investigation to analyze whether there is anti-competitive behavior in the industry.

The official said an audit carried out at Enacom revealed that operators Telecom and Telefónica owed more than 3bn pesos in investment contributions to the universal service fund.

In turn, it confirmed that Telecom paid the late payment contributions two years after their original liquidation. “This work made it clear that Enacom failed to notify the companies, failed in control and incurred a delay in the resolution of appeals filed by the companies before Enacom itself,” the document reads.