Yesterday, Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, Manuel Adorni, appeared before the Chamber of Deputies after submitting the 145th Management Report, which included responses to 2,151 questions. Among those related to the ICT sector, lawmakers asked about the definitions of the National Communications Entity (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones, Enacom) regarding the Telecom–Telefónica merger and the analysis by the National Competition Authority (Autoridad Nacional de la Competencia, ANC). “A 30-day period is estimated for the issuance of the decision (by the ANC),” the report concludes.
In detailing the steps already completed, the report submitted to the Lower House outlines information provided by the Ministry of Economy. “Upon completion of requests for reports, witness statements, and documentary evidence, the investigative stage is concluded. The process has been duly substantiated, and the case file is now ready for resolution.”
It also notes that Enacom’s technical opinion has been incorporated, meaning that “the Secretariat of Economic Concentrations is currently analyzing the information collected in order to issue a technical opinion.”
Once this is submitted, the Tribunal of the ANC will proceed with its analysis and decision. “The regulatory framework provides for three possible outcomes for notifiable economic concentration transactions: authorize the operation, condition approval on compliance with remedies, or deny authorization,” the report states.
Spectrum. Separately, question 1,130 addressed the spectrum assigned to Telefónica, Claro, and Telecom to provide 5G services. In response, the report references the Telefónica–Telecom merger and a potential Enacom review of frequency bands.
“Enacom reports that, given that in February 2025 the acquisition of Telefónica by Telecom in Argentina was announced, this merger could exceed the current spectrum cap by 130 MHz. The remaining spectrum from the 4G auction amounts to 90 MHz, in addition to 50 MHz from the 5G auction that went unawarded. Therefore, taken together, this highlights the need to conduct a new analysis of the frequency bands held by the State and their subsequent allocation for 5G services, thereby optimizing the efficient use of spectrum for the provision of high-quality services,” the Cabinet Office report states.