Uruguay: Defying courts, government maintains control of broadband

Uruguay’s government has, for several years, maintained a de facto monopoly over the supply of broadband connectivity to private homes through it’s Telecommunications regulator, ANTEL, harming other possible operators, who critics of the policy say are left out of a lucrative market. Cable TV operators from Montevideo (Montecable, TCC and Nuevo Siglo) have demanded the right to offer their clients broadband access through their existing infrastructure. The government has, however, repeatedly thwarted their attempts.

The government headed by Tabaré Vazquez has said it will continue to stop these private operators from entering this market. The president’s Frente Amplio party has even introduced an article in the country’s Telecommunications law (currently under revision), barring the cable operators from offering these services. The modification, however, has already been struck down by the country’s Supreme Court, which declared it unconstitutional.

“Uruguay already has internet. This is not one of the problems we have to work on. That business model is completely behind us.” said Industry, Energy and Mining Minister Carolina Cosse. The government official pointed out that more than 75% of Uruguay’s homes have internet access.

Full Content: El Observador

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