The National Assembly of Nicaragua has approved Law No. 1223, General Law on Convergent Telecommunications, establishing a more modern regulatory framework which has adapted to the technological advances in the industry.
The new law has been under review by the Infrastructure and Public Services Commission since March of this year and encompasses telephones, the internet, radio and other services connected to information technologies. The Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services (TELCOR) will administer the new law.
Deputy Jenny MartĂnez (President of the Infrastructure and Public Services Commission) explained that; “The updated legislation aims to guarantee families fair and efficient access to these services and provides for a significant increase in the quality of services offered to the Nicaraguan population”.
The law also identifies the rights of all telecommunications users, with special emphasis on all people with disabilities.
The General Law on Convergent Telecommunications also considers the need to attract foreign investment in this sector by creating an environment of legal security for operators and service providers. This investment will result in a substantial improvement in telecommunications connectivity at the national level, explained Deputy Wálmaro Gutiérrez, President of the Production, Economy and Budget Commission.
Telecommunications businesses are looking at investing in countries that have modernized their legislation and have made investment or further investment more attractive.
Number portability has been an issue and the new law has allows users to keep their telephone number when changing service providers, thereby giving the user greater freedom and promoting fair competition among service providers. Also contained in the legislation are safeguards for citizens in relation to only paying for the services actually requested.
In order to give the telecommunications operators and regulatory bodies time to be prepared for the changes in the legislation, the General Law on Convergent Telecommunications will enter into force one year after its publication in La Gaceta, the Official Gazette of Nicaragua which was in edition number 204, dated the 6th of November 2020.Â
With the approval of the General Law on Converged Telecommunications, the old Law 200 – Telecommunications and Postal Service Law (which is 29 years old) has been repealed.
