Colombia: SIC fines internet operators; companies respond

Colombia’s Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) imposed sanctions last week,totalling over 6.6 billion Colombian pesos (USD$2.1 million) on broadband operators Claro, ETB, Movistar and Tigo-Une for “not complying with the duty of information and not guaranteeing the suitability of broadband internet service in homes.” The charges refer to the speed provided to users, as well as lack of information at the time of hiring the companies’ services.

The investigation found that the users of these operators “only enjoyed, in some cases, half of the broadband speed offered if they were connected through the Wi-Fi network”, in addition to receiving incomplete information regarding the difference in connections before, during, or after installation.

Telefónica, ETB and TigoUne responded to the fines imposed through communications sent to the SIC. TigoUne stated that “the Company will file a recourse of appeal against the sanction, since it does not agree with it.” Telefónica stated that it has not yet been notified of the sanction, but will dedicate the necessary resources to challenge it. For its part Claro, slapped with the largest fine, refused to comment on the issue.

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