Uruguay is part of several telecommunication liberation commissions that promote regional telecommunications development, harmonization of spectrum management, equipment certification and exchange of telecommunication information. Mercosur [2], ITU [8], World Trade Organization [3], Regulate [4] and the International Institute of Communications [5]. Uruguay’s commission membership describes in –place planning for liberation of telecommunications and being implemented as evidenced by the One Laptop per Child program [6]. This program CEIBAL proved to be successful as further studies evidence mature planning to foster and maintain the program after pilot and rollout. As Uruguay participates in telecommunication liberalization commissions but still maintains a monopoly, the country is in a stage 3 for telecommunication liberation.
Universal Access Regulation (STAGE 3)Some Latin American countries have established universal access funds to establish telecommunication access to neighboring regions. Uruguay’s universal access policy, however, comes not from government sponsored access funds but from state controlled mandates or the administration of the monopoly operator ANTEL which operates on their own initiatives. ANTEL has fostered universal access, for example, by adding additional public phone payphones, extending ADSL coverage and ensuring ICT services are affordable[7] As Uruguay has still many hurdles to cross, the country is in stage 3 of achieving universal access.
Regulatory Body (STAGE 3)ICT projects in Uruguay are funded either by ANTEL or in coordination with different government ministries, local governments, private sector, and civil society including tele-centers, education centers and comprehensive e-government programs. These criteria qualify Uruguay in Stage 3 as there is no independent regulatory body that sets and enforces telecommunication regulation to date. [1],[7]
Telecommunication and Data Service Options (STAGE 4)As earlier described in the Network Access section of this report, Uruguay offers many telecommunication and data services option to their citizens and businesses qualifying as a stage 4.
Network Opened to Competitors (STAGE 3)As the telephone system is government-owned with little to no progress to privatize it and the mobile phone market, shared by the state owned company Ancel, and two private companies, Movistar and Claro [1] Uruguay qualifies for stage 3 as competition is not fully available to citizens and businesses for competitive pricing and ancillary products.
ICT Trade Policy (STAGE 3)According to the World Trade Organization, an independent body has regulated telecommunication’s trade policy in the sector since 2001. Although the State continues to have a monopoly in fixed urban telephony and in domestic long distance calls(Antel), competition has been introduced in mobile telephony services by private operators as prior mentioned. Foreign companies may engage in activities in any of the areas not reserved for the State. In 2002, international long distance telephony services were opened to competition, and some 14 licenses were granted; subsequent amendments to the law prevent the possibility of granting additional licenses. Uruguay does welcome foreign investment in the banking and tourism sectors but there are no special benefits as a new investment law puts domestic and national investment on the same footing, allowing equal access to all sectors and to available incentives.
SourcesContributor: Patrick Goodwin