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Connect-World Latin America IV 1999     Magazine introduction Connect-World series of magazines is the leading magazine in the telecom and ICT industry that brings together the leading industry players, regulators, associations and governments, to discuss how technological integration and digital inclusion helps reduce the gap the leading industry players, regulators, associations and governments, to discuss how technological integration and digital inclusion helps reduce the gap between the developed and developing world.     Theme: Competition in Latin America Articles Contributors Feature articles     Article no.: 1 Topic: Commercial Trunked Radio in Latin America: Lessons in Competition Author: Alan R. Shark Title: President & CEO Organisation: International Wireless Telecommunications Association, IWTA, U.S.A. PDF size: 20KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: Commercial Trunked Radio provides much-needed business communications in many Latin American countries. The less costly analog systems and the more sophisticated digital systems each have an important role to play in the market. Low cost, general dispatch and data transmission services are a boon to business users. Trunked systems have been growing significantly within the region despite widespread competition from cellular operators who, it seems, have done a somewhat better job of marketing and lobbying (to limit PSTN interconnect) to gain users. The IWTA is working with its members to improve the regulatory environment, promote cooperative, industry-wide, marketing efforts, encourage their use of advanced more effective technologies and, in general, help them compete more energetically.   Read the article     Article no.: 2 Topic: The impact of GMPCS on wireless competition in Latin America Author: Armando Vargas-Araya Title: General Manager Organisation: ICO Global Communications, The Americas, USA PDF size: 32KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: Despite efforts, to foster competition, to fragment ownership and control of public telephone services, three companies, considered together, already control almost 75% of fixed and cellular services. These operators will, no doubt, be in a very strong position when the current restrictions on ownership and control are liberalized and when the regional companies are allowed to compete freely throughout the country.   Read the article     Article no.: 3 Topic: Technology and the Prospect of Competition in the Caribbean Telecommunications Market Author: Bernadette Lewis Title: Technical Manager Organisation: Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO), Trinidad & Tobago PDF size: 48KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: A technology-stoked revolution is transforming the Caribbean’s traditional safe, protected, telecommunications markets. The Caribbean revolution is a scaled-down version of what is happening globally. New technologies are sidestepping traditional market niches and hallowed legal structures to bring a wide variety of cost-effective services to the public. Technology is re-defining the competitive arena. The region's service providers need to shake off their old habits, improve efficiency, lower costs and offer new services before the competition in order to survive.   Read the article     Article no.: 4 Topic: The Challenges behind the Mirror Author: Gilberto Geraldo Garbi Title: CEO Organisation: Vesper, Brazil PDF size: 20KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: The rapid introduction of competition in Brazil's telecommunications market has already started to benefit the country. Foreign investments, new jobs, expansion of manufacturing capacity and increased availability, among others, are already having an impact on Brazilian society. The "mirror" companies, created to compete with the privatised, ex-Telebras, operating companies will soon start to operate. In nine months of incredible effort and heavy investment, they have built an organization, installed a basic infrastructure and are ready to commercialise their services throughout the country. In order to level the playing field and compensate for the competitive advantages of the existing companies, the mirror companies were given exclusive right to use WLL technology during the start-up phase. Although fibre and high capacity radio will be needed for advanced services, WLL will allow the mirrors to rapidly deploy basic services without the need to build hard-wired networks. The mirror companies face many challenges on the road to building robust and profitable operations, but with a professional, balanced, approach, they have a promising future.   Read the article     Article no.: 5 Topic: Visions for the next Millennium Author: Jay Naidoo Title: Former Minister Organisation: Post, Telecommunications and Broadcasting, South Africa PDF size: 52KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: The digital revolution will be useless to the billions of poor marginalized communities of the world if there are no steps to ensure that the technologies of the telephone are accessible by them. Minister Jay Naidoo calls for action and urges a vision of meaningful solutions for the next millennium, and to work genuinely for a partnership to deliver a better quality of life. It is a historic opportunity to pass a legacy to future generations that will catapult them into the Global Information Society.   Read the article     Article no.: 6 Topic: Brazilian Telecom Markets: Consolidation ahead? Author: Joao Migue da Rocha Filho Title: General Manager, Marketing and Sales Division Organisation: NEC Brasil PDF size: 32KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: Despite efforts, to foster competition, to fragment ownership and control of public telephone services, three companies already control almost 75% of, considered together, fixed and cellular services. These operators will, no doubt, be in a very strong position when the current restrictions on ownership and control are liberalized and when the regional companies are allowed to compete freely throughout the country.   Read the article     Article no.: 7 Topic: Opening the Telecommunications Market: The Mexican Experience Author: Jorge Nicolin Title: Chairman Organisation: Mexican Federal Telecommunications Commission, Mexico PDF size: 24KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: Mexico's need to provide adequate telecommunications services to its population has long been evident to the country's planners. The process of liberalizing the country's telecommunications began in 1990 with the revision of the telephone concessions to reflect the social obligations inherent in the service. The introduction of competition and the Federal Telecommunications Laws were other landmark events in the history of Mexico's telecommunications sector. Although great progress has been made, many believe there is a need to extend the charter of Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Commission (COFETEL), to grant it a greater degree of autonomy, to ensure that the goal of universalization of basic telephone services is achieved.   Read the article     Article no.: 8 Topic: The Economic Context of Competitive Telecommunications in Brazil Author: R. Marc Burbridge Title: Professor, Global Economics Organisation: Business School of Sao Paulo, Brazil PDF size: 36KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: Despite the general disbelief and political opposition, Brazil managed to privatise the government's monopoly of public communications and create a competitive market for these services. The devaluation of Brazil's currency reduced what the country may have gained from the sale. Despite this, the money captured from the sale has helped stabilise the economy. The government, which no longer has to sustain a bloated monopoly, has greater leeway to invest in social projects. The Telecommunications companies no longer absorb public funds; they pay taxes and generate jobs. The modernization of the phone system is bringing a whole new layer of the population into the economy, and into the world of communications, and accelerating Brazil's insertion into the global economy.   Read the article     Article no.: 9 Topic: Competition Drives Telecommunications Investment and Growth in Brazil Author: Pedro Maisonnave Title: CEO Organisation: Globalsta1; Brazil PDF size: 32KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: Brazil's energetic position in favour of competition in the telecommunications sector has attracted unprecedented foreign investment. The sale of the Telebras system, itself, generated close to US$20 billion for the country's coffers. The need of the privatised local operating companies and their newly created competitors to build competitive operations, however, is prodding them to invest almost twice that amount each year in expansion. The systems built by these companies, using innovative technologies such as satellite based communications systems, will reach hitherto isolated populations and open them to economic development.   Read the article     Article no.: 10 Topic: A New Phase in Brazilian Telecommunications Author: Renato Navarro Guerreiro Title: President Organisation: ANATEL (Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicacaoes), Brazil PDF size: 20KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: The privatisation process and the introduction of competition, shepherded by Brazil's regulatory agency for telecommunication-ANATEL, has brought dramatic improvements to the sector. The number of telephones, both fixed and mobile, has grown with unprecedented speed. Telephone services, until recently only for the privileged few, have rapidly expanded; telephones are becoming common at all levels of society. Competition in long distance calling, satellite based communications, subscriber TV, among others, has reduced prices, brought in new investment and created employment in the industry.   Read the article     Article no.: 11 Topic: The Pacific Hemisphere: The future of telecommunications Author: Richard Nickelson Title: External Affairs Manager Organisation: Pacific Telecommunications Council, USA PDF size: 48KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: The Pacific hemisphere includes North, Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific Basin. Almost two thirds of the earth's population and resources are concentrated in this region, which is the fastest growing telecommunications market in the world. The Pacific Telecommunications Council, and its 650 members, is focusing evermore on the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, multimedia, the Internet and Internet services. New technology, its applications and regulatory issues are among the PTC's major concerns. The PTC's annual conferences, regular meetings and publications help members keep abreast of regional issues and interact to develop projects of mutual interest. In Latin America, the telecommunications industry has, traditionally, only looked for opportunities within the region; Latin America ought to also remember that it is part of the Pacific community.   Read the article     Article no.: 12 Topic: The Competitive Scenario in Latin American Telecommunications Author: Salomao Wajnberg Title: President Organisation: Brazilian Telecommunication Association PDF size: 16KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: National priorities do not spring from a country's natural talents; they result from stimuli emerging from a process of internal competition. A nation's competitiveness depends upon the capacity of its businesses to innovate and perfect themselves. Companies rise above their competition throughout the world due to pressures and challenges. They benefit from having strong rivals, aggressive suppliers and demanding clients.   Read the article     Article no.: 13 Topic: The New Era in the Brazilian Telecommunications Market Author: Wob Gerretsen Title: Chairman Organisation: Intelig Telecommunications Ltd., Brazil PDF size: 32KB   About author: Not available   Article abstract: The Brazilian Government innovated, compared with other parts of Latin America, when it set the rules for privatisation and the introduction of competition in the public telecommunications market. In other countries, the government-owned public telephone operators maintained their monopoly for five or more years after privatisation, delaying and compromising the development of a fully competitive market. Brazil's decision to open the market, through "mirror" companies, shortly after completing the privatisation process, attracted foreign capital and will hasten the development of the sector.   Read the article Confirmed authors (Order by article no.)   Alan R. Shark President & CEO, International Wireless Telecommunications Association, IWTA, U.S.A.   Armando Vargas-Araya General Manager, ICO Global Communications, The Americas, USA   Bernadette Lewis Technical Manager, Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO), Trinidad & Tobago   Gilberto Geraldo Garbi CEO, Vesper, Brazil   Jay Naidoo Former Minister, Post, Telecommunications and Broadcasting, South Africa   Joao Migue da Rocha Filho General Manager, Marketing and Sales Division, NEC Brasil   Jorge Nicolin Chairman, Mexican Federal Telecommunications Commission, Mexico   R. Marc Burbridge Professor, Global Economics, Business School of Sao Paulo, Brazil   Pedro Maisonnave CEO, Globalsta1; Brazil   Renato Navarro Guerreiro President, ANATEL (Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicacaoes), Brazil   Richard Nickelson External Affairs Manager, Pacific Telecommunications Council, USA   Salomao Wajnberg President, Brazilian Telecommunication Association   Wob Gerretsen Chairman, Intelig Telecommunications Ltd., Brazil