CRC gives cellcos one month to open networks for Avantel

Colombia’s Communication Regulation Commission (CRC) has given Claro, Movistar and Tigo one month to open their networks to Avantel for automatic national roaming, after the latter accused the incumbents of violating the terms of their 4G licences by refusing to sign roaming pacts with the newcomer. The order will allow Avantel to offer wireless voice, data and SMS services over the infrastructure of the incumbent trio. Pablo Marquez, the executive director of CRC explained that the watchdog had acted to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and, to ensure that users could benefit from the best deals in the short term, it had moved to promote competition by easing access to the market for new telcos. Marquez also noted that requests for conflict resolution had called for a review of the technical conditions under which automatic national roaming should be provided. The official clarified that roaming should be available nationwide, specifically in those areas where Avantel does not own 4G infrastructure. To ensure that the trio meet the one month deadline, CRC has instructed the cellcos to provide an implementation schedule, and has offered the support of a technical supervisor to assist with the process should any of the providers request help.