A new Telecommunications Law, enacted by the Venezuelan Legislative Commission, came into force on June 13 2000. It replaces the previous law of 1940.
The following are the laws principle features:
- It establishes the legal framework for the general regulation of telecommunications;
- It guarantees the people's human right to telecommunications;
- It guarantees entities rights to perform related economic activities; and
- It provides for the granting of licences (by auction) for telecommunications services and concessions to use the spectrum.
The law addresses consumer interests by providing the following:
- A mechanism ensures that everyone in Venezuela, even in remote areas, receives telecommunications services;
- The Universal Telecommunications Service details the telecommunications services that operators are obligated to provide. In every geographical location they must provide minimum penetration, access, quality and economic accessibility standards;
- The Universal Service Fund will subsidize the cost of the infrastructure required by the Universal Telecommunications Service; and
- The Telecommunications Research and Development Fund will guarantee the financing of research and development in the telecommunications sector.
The Law also regulates:
- use of satellites;
- rights of way;
- interconnection;
- ham-radio operations;
- approval of equipment; and
- tariffs and taxes.
For further information on this topic please contact Arnoldo Troconis at D'Empaire Reyna Bermudez Abogados by telephone (+58 212 264 6244) or by fax (+58 212 264 7543) or by e-mail ([email protected]).
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