The news comes as Enacom, the Argentinian regulator was quoted by Reuters as saying the country “will likely issue a rule allowing telephone service providers to offer satellite television services as part of their packages by the end of the year”.
Beginning in January 2018, telecom providers will be able to offer pay-TV through cable and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. Satellite technologies will allow operators whose terrestrial networks don’t support video delivery to enter the market.
Back in January of this year Argentina loosened its regulations to allow more competition in its telecoms sector and widen internet penetration. As a result of the new regulations companies are no longer prohibited from simultaneously providing cable TV, internet, fixed line and mobile phone services. At the time, the government said at it hoped its actions would attract billions of dollars in investments.
Shortly after in March, the Argentinian Ministry of Communications launched two public consultations on the quality of ICT services and regulations around interconnection between telecoms operators. The purpose of which was to introduce new legislation around converging technologies and increased take up of services that will help improve service quality.
Earlier this month, the government hinted at a similar decision based on the outcome of the Cablevisión/Telecom Argentina merger that is planned to take place in December. Though Enacom has yet to give is final decision on the merger; "the country’s anti-trust regulator also would have to approve the deal," noted sources to Reuters.
