Earlier this year Squire Patton Boggs hosted the International Institute of Communications’ (IIC) Telecommunications and Media Forum (TMF), which took place in Miami. The IIC is an international non-profit organization that brings together regulators, policy-makers and industry representatives to promote open dialogue and shape the public policy agenda in the telecommunications, media and technology sector. The TMF was a two-day conference that focused on Latin America and examined the policy frameworks that can best promote infrastructure deployment, investment, and innovation for the digital economy in that region. In attendance were representatives from regulatory agencies from across Latin America; the Federal Communications Commission; the International Development Bank; other regional organizations; carriers; broadband providers; and telecom equipment manufacturers who are invested in Latin America.[1]
One of the panels at the TMF focused on digital infrastructure and the policy choices that can lead to sustained investment and innovation at the network, service and applications level. SPB partner Eduardo R. Guzmán, a member of the firm’s global Communications Group, participated as a panelist in that discussion. He focused his remarks on the state of wireless network infrastructure in Latin America and the need for reforms to lower the costs of deploying the infrastructure that Latin American providers will need to expand coverage and set the table for 5G networks. Below is a Q&A with Eduardo that summarizes the key points he made at the TMF on this critical issue for the evolution and expansion of telecommunications service in Latin America.
Why is discussing barriers to wireless infrastructure deployment critical in Latin America?
Because wireless networks will be they key drivers of broadband deployment in Latin America. Mobile devices connected to wireless networks already are by far the preferred mode of access to the Internet in the region, and smartphone adoption is only expected to increase that trend. At the same time, Latin America still faces significant challenges when it comes to extending connectivity in rural and remote areas, and 4G adoption and coverage are still lagging behind when viewed in terms of total usage, coverage or in comparison to smartphone adoption rates (which are steadily increasing in Latin America). And stagnant average revenue per user and real limitations at the customer base level to pay for premium services has historically affected investment in the region and is likely to delay the rollout and adoption of 5G. In this climate, reducing the costs of infrastructure deployment is critical and needs to be discussed more broadly.