ICT: The week in 10 stories

BRAZIL

Embratel Star One has activated the Ka band on its IPSAT broadband service provided from the Star One D1 satellite.

Unlike some of its main competitors, TIM wants Brazil to hold a 5G auction "as soon as possible" to avoid being left behind.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Millicom bought Telefónica's business in Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica for US$1.7bn, marking the exit of the Spanish company from the region .

COLOMBIA

The local industrial IoT market will generate revenue of nearly US$524mn in 2022, with most spending over the next five years going to the automotive and manufacturing verticals.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The government looks to reduce costs and visual pollution related to telecommunications networks by setting rules for companies to share basic infrastructure.

ECUADOR

Mobile lines grew 7% in 2018 for a total penetration of 92.6%, according to telecoms watchdog Arcotel.

MEXICO

Mercado Libre plans to invest US$300mn in Mexico, its fastest growing market, in 2019.

PERU

Telecoms watchdog Osiptel has carried out a public consultation on the possibility of deregulating the fixed line telephony rates of incumbent Telefónica del Perú.

PUERTO RICO

Lawmakers are discussing a bill that could allow for easier deployment of small cell, low-power, short range telecommunications base stations seen as crucial for the deployment of 5G.

REGIONAL

Latin America is expected to have 9.7mn 5G connections by 2022, three years after the arrival of the technology in the region.