Colombia. Within the framework of the recent edition of Andicom 2024, the leaders of the country's telecommunications operating companies discussed the situation of the industry in the Panel: Leading the Connectivity of the Future: Innovation, Challenges and Opportunities.
In the conversation Fabián Hernández, CEO of Telefónica Movistar; Carlos Blanco, CEO of TIGO; Ramiro Lafarga, CEO of WOM. The moderation was in charge of Samuel Hoyos, President of Asomóvil
The reflection that resulted from the debate is that, in order to address new trends, such as the implementation of AI and the creation of smart cities in Colombia, connectivity is required, one of the challenges facing the telecommunications sector. Even though there are investment efforts to close the gap, the operators made several calls for the regulation of network traffic, fair share and the review of energy costs to guarantee the sustainability of the industry and the rights of users.
Some of the leaders' interventions in terms of contribution, progress and investment in connectivity were:
Alex Javier Blanco, CEO, ETB "Although we do not have a great financial muscle, we are the company that invests the most in relation to the income we receive. We need to reach some sectors of strata 1 and 2. We have to understand that the use of networks must be leveled, we believe that the fairest thing is that content generators must contribute in order to close the gap. We must sit down so that the different actors in the industry can contribute to the country's goals. It is important to connect more children, who are the ones who will give us the future."
Rodrigo de Gusmao, CEO, Claro "We are celebrating 30 years in Colombia, we have made a lot of presence, but there is still a long way to go to connect the whole country. One of the challenges we must face is a very heavy tax burden. The government must correct regulatory measures to strengthen operator investment, almost 60% of network spending comes from streaming platforms, which do not contribute to the country's connectivity to strengthen the sectors that need it. It is a debate that is open in several places around the world. Connectivity transforms lives, we bring free internet to schools in remote areas, as is the case of Quibdó, where we are already training children in robotics."
Fabián Hernández, CEO, Telefónica Movistar "The plans are to grow in fiber optics and continue accompanying digitalization. We must rethink the issue of traffic, operators assume most of the costs even when we are not the generators of most of the traffic. It is important to solve the problem, make the regulation more flexible for the purposes of the industry and recover customers at the center so that progress is sustainable."
Carlos Blanco, CEO, TIGO "It is the only industry in which demand is growing every day and that requires the rate to decrease, which is a great challenge. I like the dialogue of the union in the country on the issue of fair share, it is a complex issue, but it needs an accelerated solution, I see a lot of responsibility and effort in contributing. Connectivity is fundamental in the acceleration of the economy, the growth of demand on the one hand makes me happy, but on the other hand it worries me so it is necessary to solve the issue of regulation."
