Dear Editor:
Several times I have read articles about the paging industry in Colombia with incorrect information.
TAS does not own a 900 MHz license. Only four companies in Colombia have 900 MHz licenses. Skytel and Conectel, both U.S. companies, have 900 MHz licenses. In addition, the Communications Ministry granted Comsabana a 900 MHz license on the day before the government announced no more paging frequencies would be allocated until public auctions were established. Espectracom obtained a 900 MHz license in a public auction. Two auctions have been held for this matter, but only Espectracom obtained the qualifications necessary to participate in the auction.
Following are estimates for the number of subscribers by company. Espectracom and Conectel each have more than 20,000 subscribers, and Skytel, known as Mtel de Colombia, has between 15,000 and 20,000 subscribers. Buscapersonas and Teleauto each have between 10,000 and 15,000 subscribers, and TAS and Delacom each have between 5,000 and 10,000 users.
The Colombian paging market has about 220,000 total subscribers, with more than 100 paging companies for a very limited market.
Jorge Andres Mora
General Manager
Espectracom Ltda.
Bogot , Colombia