The last three months have seen significant regulatory developments in Latin America (LATAM), affecting in particular: the awarding and scheduling of 5G auctions; retail price regulation; and the regulation of passive infrastructure.

Argentina awarded 250 MHz out of the 300 MHz offered in the 3.5 GHz band for a total price of US$875.1m. Chile consulted on the terms to award the 3.5 GHz band for 5G, with the opening of the bids scheduled for 20 February 2024. Colombia published the final rules to auction national spectrum in the 700 MHz, 1900 MHz, AWS, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. The auction will start on 20 December 2023.

An Argentinian administrative court annulled the ICT retail price regulation decree following a complaint filed by Telecom Argentina against the government’s 2020regulation. Brazil adjusted the price caps that apply to the basic service basket of retail fixed voice services tariffs and the price caps for fixed to mobile calls. Colombia consulted on a proposal to regulate the retail mobile services market, comprising bundles of mobile voice, data, SMS and MMS services.

The Brazilian telecoms regulator, Anatel, approved a draft implementing regulation regarding the conditions for pole sharing between energy distribution companies and fixed telecoms operators. The energy regulator, Aneel, must also approve the draft, as this is a joint regulation of Anatel and Aneel. The Colombian telecoms regulator, CRC, limited price increases for telecoms and electricity passive infrastructure so that prices can only be adjusted every year under an indexation mechanism.

Other news from the region includes Mexico proposing to improve the national infrastructure information system data submission process, and Peru regulating user compensation for fixed internet outages.

Cullen International’s latest LATAM Telecoms Update highlights policy developments over the past three months affecting the regulation of radio spectrum, wholesale networks and consumer protection in six markets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

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