Regulator Rejects Movistar Appeal Against CRT Intervention

Colombia's public services regulator Superservicios has rejected an appeal by mobile operator Movistar against telecoms regulator CRT's refusal to leave interconnection decisions to the market, local daily Portafolio reported.

Movistar, a unit of Spain's Telefónica Móviles (NYSE: TEM), argued that the CRT does not have the authority to issue regulations governing the direct interconnection of trunking and mobile operators.

The public services regulator ruled that the CRT had acted within the agency's mandate and in accordance with the law.

The decision will allow trunking operator Avantel to petition the CRT to establish conditions for it to interconnect its networks with those of Colombia's mobile operators.

Direct interconnection with mobile operators Comcel, Movistar and Ola would allow Avantel to function as a true mobile operator, with the same service advantages now enjoyed by the incumbents.

BNamericas.com"

Posted to the site on 24th March 2006