Telecommunications Regulations

Guatemala has made headway in recent years in regard to its Telecommunications regulation and has developed policy regarding the Internet and its country’s infrastructure.  Although the state-owned telephone company was initially the only carrier with access to the global Internet infrastructure, the industry has been opened up to competition and allowed private ISPs to operate within the country.

More recently Guatemala has passed laws that enact the property rights of radio spectrum as property.  The owners of radio spectrum, usually distributed through auctions, can use the spectrum for wireless telecommunications.  Spectrum is separated into different functions depending on the wavelengths and used for, radio, fixed wireless and mobile wireless.  The owners of the spectrum will be able to capitalize on the telecommunications industry and able to either provide a whole range of services, or lease the spectrum to other providers.

ICT Trade Policy

Guatemala as a country and through its state owned telephone company is making strives to increase the capacity and network reliability.  The country imports a majority of its ICT hardware and does not impose high tariffs in order to encourage the continued growth of its network.