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Paraguay (Country Regulation Overview)
Ovum, Nov 2010, Pages: 16
While the privatization of fixed telephony markets started in the 1980s in Argentina and the 1990s in Brazil and Mexico, the fixed telephony market in Paraguay is still a state monopoly. Given that Paraguay hasn’t had infrastructure-based competition and investment in the sector is low, this should be a key priority for regulator CONATEL and the government. Until then, fixed telephony and broadband penetration rates are likely to remain among the lowest in the region.
Promisingly, in the second half of 2011, CONATEL expects to have finalized its National Telecommunications Plan 2011–2015, which aims to promote the rollout of telecoms infrastructure and ubiquitous service for consumers. In doing so, Paraguay joins a group of other South & Central American countries that have been launching strategies to promote competition, job creation, and social inclusion.
The story in the mobile market is quite different, and is one of high levels of competition and widespread infrastructure investment in mobile networks. It is clear that this has been the area towards which the regulator has directed its attention.
Paraguay is one of the few countries in the world to impose SMS termination regulated caps, and it also has lower mobile termination rates (MTRs) than Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. In 2010 CONATEL has taken steps towards freeing up the 700MHz band and designating services in the 2.6GHz band, which will make more spectrum available for mobile broadband.
While progress in mobile has been strong, there are missing elements which the regulator shouldn’t lose track of such as the introduction of number portability.
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