Colombia gets a new ICT minister

Mauricio Lizcano took office on Monday as Colombia’s new ICT minister as part of a cabinet reshuffle. 

The minister (pictured) will assume the commitment to reduce the digital divide, connect 85% of the country and guarantee ICT as a fundamental right. In addition, he must move forward with spectrum renewals and the next 5G frequency tender.

Colombia has an action plan for carrying out the selection process for the deployment and massification of 5G.

In addition, the renewal of Tigo's radio spectrum for the next 20 years has already been completed.

"We are going to work as a team with the government, the industry, the communities and the players in the sector to bring connectivity to the most remote regions of Colombia and thus, face inequity and poverty," Lizcano said in a press release.

The new minister has more than 23 years of experience working in management positions in public entities.

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Colombian regulator CRC issued a resolution that enables new alternative locations and spaces for the installation and deployment of telecommunications networks.

The measure allows locating telecommunications infrastructure in drains, in public transport stations, ducts along highways, public lighting, traffic lights and bus stops.

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Colombia’s ICT ministry and the Dominican Republic’s regulator Indotel signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and exchange of information on good practices that promote connectivity and the digital transformation of both countries.

The signing was carried out within the framework of the session of the permanent advisory committee of the inter-American telecommunications commission Citel.

The MOU is valid for two years.

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Colombia's industry and trade regulator (SIC) opened an investigation into Claro and Movistar for alleged violations of the user protection regime. The two are suspected of limiting users’ right to freely choose their operator through number portability.

The investigation began as a result of complaints from users and other service providers who have alleged that portability requests are being rejected.

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Peruvian watchdog Osiptel proposed regulations for telecommunications companies to deactivate mobile lines that present inconsistent data or that are active without having followed the requirements.

In Peru there is biometric identification for the acquisition of a telephone line. However, the regulator found that companies did not always request this data to activate lines.

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Osiptel put two telecommunications regulation projects out to public comment. The project on the determination of important providers in the wholesale internet access and data transmission market will be open for 30 calendar days.

Meanwhile, the initiative that modifies the rules of conditions of use of public telecommunications services will be open to comments for 15 calendar days.

More information can be seen here and here.

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Chilean regulator Subtel modified the general plan for the use of radioelectric spectrum based on the latest changes introduced in the ITU regulations and Mercosur resolutions on radio broadcasting bands.

Chile considered it necessary to adapt to a 2021 Mercosur resolution that establishes that the frequency band for FM broadcasting corresponds to the range between 76MHz and 108MHz.

In addition, modifications were made to the bands for fixed and mobile services (5,275-5,450MHz, 10GHz, 3,300-3,400MHz bands) and satellite services (17.3-17.8GHz), among others.

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Mexican regulator IFT signed an agreement with the institute for industrial development (Inadi) with the aim of carrying out joint actions that promote the development of the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors, industrial productivity and digital transformation.