Recent developments in this area include the following :

Satellite Television. On December 3 of 1997, the State Council declared the nullity of "Acuerdo" Number 5 of November 14 of 1996, issued by the National Television Commission by means of which Direct Satellite Television would not have to comply with the bidding procedures of Law 182 of 1995. The National Television Commission issued "Acuerdo" Number 032 of January 15, 1998 based on the faculties granted by Law 335 of 1996 in order to regulate satellite television ratifying the procedures set forth in the "Acuerdo" Number 5 that was declared null.

Private Television Channels . The Board of Directors of the National Television Commission issued Resolution 582 of November 24 of 1997. By means of this Resolution, the concessions for the exploitation of Private Channels N1 and N2 were granted in favor of TRR Television S.A. and Caracol Television S.A., respectively. These concessions were granted according to the terms and conditions set forth in the reference terms of the public bid.

Long Distance Telephone Services. The Ministry of Communications granted ETB (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Bogota) the license for the rendering of international long distance services by means of Resolution 052 of January 15 of 1998. With the award of this license, ETB has become the first competitor of TELECOM, the Colombian long distance telephone company. A license for an additional company is currently being studied.

Radio Messages Services. The Ministry of Communications opened Public Bid No. 002-98, which purpose is the awarding of the concessions for the use of the radioelectric spectrum for the rendering of services that use radio messages services within the national level. This public bid closes on February 5th of 1998.

Trunking Services. The Ministry of Communications issued Resolution No. 5186 of December 22 of 1997, to award by means of a public bid the concession for the rendering of telecommunications services, that use trunking systems, within the National level. Additionally, the Government issued Decree 3046 of December 23 of 1997, by means of which the amounts to be paid for the concession are determined, as well as the terms of the exploitation and the use of the radioelectric spectrum.

Prepared by Ana Maria Carrasquilla and Juliana Gomez P. from Gomez Pinzon & Asociados, Bogota , Colombia.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide but specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

GOMEZ PINZON & ASOCIADOS
Carrera 9 No. 73-24 Pisos 1,2,3 y 5
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Telephone : 571- 3107055/ 5066
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