ICT: The week in 10 stories

ARGENTINA

Authorities have extended until October 31 the deadline to register prepaid cell phones or users risk having them cut off.

BRAZIL

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) invested over 1.5mn euros (US$1.73mn) to begin manufacturing base station antennas (BSA) in Latin America at its Brazilian plant in Embu das Artes, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo state.

CARIBBEAN

Irish-owned Caribbean telco Digicel has extended the deadline again for renegotiating US$3bn in debt with creditors as the looming October 19 deadline appeared unachievable.

CHILE

Mobile data consumption has grown 105% over the last year with video streaming accounting for the largest chunk, according to a new report from telecoms regulator Subtel.

COSTA RICA

The country is looking to fully digitize government and set guidelines for the development of Industry 4.0 in key sectors such as agriculture and tourism.

MEXICO

Fixed-line telecommunications and data services company Axtel is closer to divesting both its mass market unit and its 13,000km fiber optic network as it looks to focus on its core enterprise and government businesses, the company's CEO said during a conference call.

Global e-retailer Amazon is looking for land in Mexico's central state of Querétaro to build a fourth warehouse in the country.

PARAGUAY

The creation of an ICT ministry (Mictic) requires only the president's signature after congress approved a bill to merge the current information and communications department (Sicom) and the information and communication technologies department (Senatics).

PUERTO RICO

Liberty Latin America has acquired the remaining 40% stake in Liberty Cablevision with funds affiliated with Searchlight Capital Partners.

REGIONAL

América Móvil believes it can keep its capex budget around the current US$8-8.5bn long-term objective, despite the advent of 5G technology, as the company is making preparations for the new standard, CEO Daniel Hajj told analysts.