Cristina Kirchner
The Government published in the Official Gazette, the “Argentina Digital” law and enacted the initiative that regulates the telecommunications system by opening the market to a major competitor such as telephone companies to cable TV service, but prohibits them from providing satellite television. It did through Decree 2514/14, signed by President Cristina Kirchner, Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich, and Federal Planning Minister, Julio De Vido, promulgation of the law 27,078 sanctioned on Wednesday in Congress, where the ruling party gathered 131 votes against 97 for the opposition. This new rule states that the Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC) as an “essential and strategic public service” and guarantees “equal access” of citizens across the country. The law regulates free access to networks, now held by the companies that installed them, such as telephone companies and major cable operators. Companies that do not have their own networks can rent the use of existing at prices regulated by the state. According to the ruling, the measure will promote competition and improve service; however, the opposition claims that will hurt small players in benefit of telephone companies, true giants compared to their potential competitors. The opposition also questioned the authority of law enforcement, the Federal Council of Technology of the Telecommunications and Digitization. To users, the new law allows them to choose the provider of services no matter which one comes with own or leased infrastructure. In addition, services for which the same price with the same quality across the country will be restructured, and gives green light to telephone companies to enter the audiovisual sector, but prevents them to offer satellite TV. Eliminates long distance telephone service and authorizes the Federal Authority for Information Technology and Communications (AFTIC), established by this law, to set due dates and locations where the phone companies will be prevented from giving pay TV.