The Association of Communication and Technology Companies (Comctec) denounced this Monday “serious irregularities” in it Bidding process convened by the VBC RD Trust for the construction and operation of the Telecommunications Network of the Housing Project Juan Bosch City (CJB), pointing out that the proposed model violates legal, technical and competition principles.
The statement, signed by companies Altice, of course, Wind Telecom, Onemax, Phoenix Tower International and Del Caribbean Sas
Comctecwhich brings together concessionaires and infrastructure companies duly registered and regulated by the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel), expressed in a space paid in the printed edition of Diario Libre, its deep concern for what qualifies as a Management Model that would assign the Total network control to a single operator, in contravention of principles such as free competitiontechnological neutrality and net coexistence.
In addition to raising “needlessly” Costs for users.
Restrictions in force since 2019
Comctec He pointed out that for more than five years the companies in the sector have faced barriers to display infrastructure in Juan Bosch Citydespite important investments and at the service offered to more than 7,000 homes.
The organization argues that these restrictions have favored the entry of informal operators and unauthorized services, without supervision nor quality guaranteesto the detriment of project residents.
Legal and economic concerns
The association also denounced the lack of Compliance with the Legal Framework and regulatory, pointing out that the absence of respect for current regulations creates a Legal insecurity environmentaffects the proper functioning of formal companies and weakens incentives for the private investment.
According to the statement, this situation sends a negative message to local and international investors and It puts competitiveness at risk of the country.
On the economic level, Comctec warned that the tender imposes recurring payments up to US $ 12.00 per month per userby concept of operation, configuration and maintenance.
The association described this measure as a Artificial service increasecontrary to the General Telecommunications Law No. 153-98, and especially for low-income sectors, deepening the digital gap.
Technical observations
Comctec He indicated that the project design Does not contemplate redundancies nor support mechanisms that guarantee the continuity of the service to failures.
He also criticized that by assigning infrastructure to a single operator, the direct relationship between provider and end customerwhich would compromise the quality of the service, the attention to claims and the supervision of Indotel.
He also warned about the possibility that other enabled companies operate their own networks in conditions of inequality, which would violate their rights and limit technological innovation.
Solution proposal
The organization proposed a scheme of Shared passive infrastructureunder the beginning of Equitable neutrality and access. He also suggested to open the process to all companies with regulated concessionsguarantee a transparent legal framework and strictly apply Law 153-98 and its derived regulations.
Called to the authorities
Finally, Comctec He urged the VBC RD Trust, to the General Directorate of Public Contracts (DGCP) and the competent authorities to Check the processguarantee the Respect for the Legal Framework and ensure that Public connectivity policies They are formulated with technical criteria.
“The normative environment Sure, predictable and fair Not only protects the consumer, but it is essential to strengthen legal certainty, attract investment and consolidate a modern, competitive and sustainable telecommunications sector, “concludes the statement.
