Synopsis
Argentina has one of the most solid state-of-the-art telecom infrastructures in Latin America, and a large number of companies are involved in the provision of services. Telecom revenues are expected to reach more than US$14 billion in 2012. As in other Latin American countries, fixed-line revenues account for a decreasing portion of total telecom revenues, while the share of mobile and data/internet revenues continues to rise.
The country’s regulatory framework encourages competition and supports smaller telecom players. Argentina has adopted a single licence system (Licencia Única), which telecom companies must obtain regardless of the services they wish to provide. Operators must list in their licence applications which services they wish to offer, but can at any time register for additional ones.
All telecom providers must grant interconnection to other telecom providers on a non-discriminatory, transparent, proportional basis, following objective criteria. Wholesale internet is available, but local loop unbundling (LLU) has never been properly regulated and implemented.
This report provides an overview of Argentina’s telecom market and regulatory environment, accompanied by statistical data, analyses, and outlook.
Key developments:
Argentina’s GDP is projected to grow about 6% in 2012, but inflation remains a serious problem for the country’s economy; the fastest growing telecom service in 2012 is likely to be 3G, both for mobile broadband and for cell phone internet browsing; after years of delay, number portability was finally implemented in March 2012.
Companies covered in this report include:
Telefónica de Argentina, Telecom Argentina, Grupo Clarín, Movistar, Claro, Telecom Personal.
