The governments of Latin America and the telecommunications and audiovisual industry companies opened a debate in Barcelona on the characteristics of the new regulations that the region needs to be able to promote investments that reduce the digital divide that currently affects their economies and generates social exclusion. , considering that the region is still far from recovering the rate of technological use prior to the COVID-19.
The Inter-American Association of Telecommunications Companies (ASIET) summoned more than fifty authorities and regulators from Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Costa Rica and Guatemala to the discussion table in a Barcelona hotel; Colombia was represented by the Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, Sandra Urrutia.
In addition, representatives of international organizations such as OECD, CAF and the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL); and companies in the digital economy that operate throughout Latin America. All with the same objective: share experiences, open the debate and form regulatory proposals.
Data from world Bank updated to 2021 indicate that, in Latin America, around 47% of the population has access to fixed broadband, compared to 57% in Eastern Europe, 87% in Western Europe and 59% in the Asia-Pacific region. Even in many countries, 5G technology remains a long shot.
Faced with this adverse scenario, ASIET convened the frontal discussion event behind closed doors entitled “Compact Digital: Public-private alliances and intelligent regulation to reduce the digital divide”, which ended in parallel with the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, organized by the Global Mobile Ecosystem Association (GSMA).
In it #MWC2023 We established strong relationships with the Inter-American Association of Telecommunications Companies (@asiet_lat), which for 40 years has led public-private alliances on issues #TIC and digitization for the benefit of communities. 🫂📲📡 pic.twitter.com/LV5Zve8Tcr
— Sandra Urrutia (@SandramUrrutia) March 1, 2023
A low-income elementary school student is six times less likely to have a computer connected to the Internet at home than a student from a high-income family.”
Maryleana Mendez, general secretary of ASIET, He stated that “the telecommunications and audiovisual industry has undergone major transformations due to changes in technology, the market, and user habits. For this reason, public authorities, regulators, companies and international organizations must dialogue as fundamental actors in the inclusive development of the digital ecosystem in Latin America”.
“In these constructive and collaborative debates, we delve into smart regulation with public and regulatory policies that promote investment and the development of digital skills for a productive use of ICT,” said Méndez about the event held in Barcelona with the strategic sponsorship of Vrio Corp. , the company that operates DIRECTV Latin America in eleven countries in that region, SKY Brasil and the DGO streaming platform.
Carlos Magariños, Director of Global Strategy and External Affairs of Vrio Corphighlight the nutrition of the attendance of public authorities and business representatives, considering that this “demonstrates interest in generating a proactive agenda for public-private cooperation to advance in reducing the digital divide in the region.”
In the debate, the companies ratified their commitment to continue investment and innovation efforts in connectivity, technology, communication and education services, to promote true digital inclusion in the region, with the purpose of generating opportunities that diversify and expand the economy. , but he made it clear that he needs to modernize regulations in all countries.
Ángel Melguizo, economist specialized in public policies and digital regulation, point out worrying data for the digital age: three out of ten Latin Americans still do not regularly access the Internet, double the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). And it indicates that “disconnection is concentrated in the poorest sectors, reaching 60%.”
“In the education sector, a low-income primary school student is six times less likely to have a computer connected to the Internet at home than a student from a high-income family,” said Melguizo.
At the event, Vrio Corp was able to establish the platform of a company to improve digital cooperation, given the challenge that technological use registered in the region with respect to North America, Europe and Asia.
“Latin America and the Caribbean will advance decisively to become a more connected and dynamic region, through the digital transformation of all economic sectors, and more inclusive, with a special focus on innovations in digital regulation, and on the acceleration of regulation investment in telecommunications and education”, expressed Melguizo.
1,000 meters of fiber optics and two domes at the entrance to El Cerrito were stolen.
Along the same lines, the economist maintained that the gains in terms of productivity, equity and environmental sustainability would be notable if progress was made with intelligent controls that accelerate investments.
“Latin America could surpass pre-covid trends in 2024 if it embarks on a deep digital transformation, driven by the telecommunications, technology and media sectors, but the primary sectors, manufacturing, health, education and mobility will also especially benefit,” he concluded. .
The Latin American debate came at a time when the world is trying to discern whether to apply a balanced scenario: last week the European Commission has opened a public consultation on whether the large content creation platforms, such as Google, Netflix or Amazon, among others, they must pay a toll to national telecom operators to ensure that all players contribute “fairly and equitably” to infrastructure investments.
