LatAm ICT regulatory watch

Peru's transport and communications ministry (MTC) has published for public consultation a proposal to reorganize the 800MHz band that is used for 4G services.

The process will make it possible to organize and improve the distribution of existing allocations. It will also ensure better use of the band, including international recommendations and agreements for the deployment of new networks or services.

Stakeholders can comment on the proposal until, from the date of its publication in the El Peruano gazette bulletin until Thursday, March 16.

The MTC also started a work group to advance with the definition of a roadmap for the telecommunications backbone network (RDNFO) based on the comments received from the final report on the network.

All interested parties can send comments, opinions or suggestions regarding the final report until March 13 here.

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The Peruvian regulator Osiptel has approved the regulation of the tariff information and registration system. The regulation establishes provisions with which the operating companies must comply to register public telecommunications service tariffs with the watchdog.

The term was extended by 20 business days for operators to present tariff proposals for service reconnection benefits and in relation to the regulation of the use of public telecommunications services.

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Osiptel has slapped Telefónica del Perú with a fine of 113.2 tax units – some 560,340 soles or US$146,000 – for failing to provide information on the registration of stolen, lost or recovered mobile terminal equipment within the deadlines established in the regulation. 

This fine applies to the period from July 3, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

It also declared an appeal filed by Telefónica against resolution 322-2022, which ensures compliance with the legal framework and promotes the quality of telecommunications services, to be unfounded and confirmed that it will have to pay a fine of 350 tax units.

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Mexican regulator IFT plans at least 24 public consultation processes for 2023.

They include consultations on the update of the general guidelines for granting concessions with a focus on the digitization of procedures, and provisions on the technical specifications of low-power radiocommunication devices and secondary use in 30.005GHz to 3GHz and another related to technical specifications for equipment that operates in the 5150-5250MHz, 5250-5350MHz, 5470-5600MHz and 5650-5725MHz bands.

The regulator also plans to carry out seven studies during 2023, which will address topics such as closing the digital divide, methodologies to monitor net neutrality and international evidence on OpenRAN and its possibilities for use in Mexico.

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The Dominican Republic chapter of the Internet Society has launched its project for the evaluation of universal internet indicators.

The project will involve practical evaluation of internet development based on four aspects: human rights, level of openness and accessibility, inclusive approach and multiple stakeholders.

Assessment of these principles will serve to highlight possible existing gaps and will be the basis for the preparation of recommendations to achieve targeted improvements, it said in a statement.