Argentina’s legislators have approved a new telecoms law, which will enable telcos to offer bundled telephone, internet and cable television services.
The bill, which will replace legislation dating back to 1972, is aimed at reducing prices for…
Argentina’s legislators have approved a new telecoms law, which will enable telcos to offer bundled telephone, internet and cable television services.
The bill, which will replace legislation dating back to 1972, is aimed at reducing prices for consumers and improving competition, according to a statement on the regulator’s website.
Under the new law, operators will be granted a single licence for mobile telephone services, television and internet services. Furthermore, larger players will reportedly have to share network infrastructure with new entrants.
However, some critics have argued that, rather than promoting competition, the new legislation only reinforces the dominant position of the main operators – namely Telefonica’s Movistar, Telecom Argentina’s Personal, America Movil’s Claro and Grupo Clarin’s Cablevision.
Last month, Argentina’s telecoms regulator, Secom, received US$2.23bn worth of bids in its recent 3G and 4G spectrum auction, a 13.6% premium to the US$1.97bn minimum target set by the government.
