Peru’s regulatory agency, OSIPTEL, has prohibited telecom operators from using the term “4G” or “Fourth Generation” to market their products. Lenka Zajec, the agency’s corporate communications manager, told RCR Wireless News that the measure is based on the need to ensure the accuracy of information that companies must provide users with regard to the quality and characteristics of the plans and products they offer, as required by Article 6 of Regulation Terms of Use of Public Telecommunications Services and according to the Consumer Act.
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OSIPTEL’s resolution is in line with standards posted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the world governing body in this field, that set specifications for next-generation mobile technologies—IMT-Advanced or 4G. The ITU reported that LTE-Advanced and WirelessMAN-Advanced technologies would be accorded the official designation of IMT-Advanced, comprising requirements for 4G standards.
In that sense, OSIPTEL noted that the characteristics of the services currently offered by telephone operators and fixed wireless services may mislead users because the rates that are offered under the name 4G or “fourth generation” are not materially different from those offered under other names, such as 3G or “third generation.”
When asked about the LTE roll out in Peru, Zajec said the next tender announced by the Ministry of Transport and Communications for the 1.7/2.1 GHz band is set to take place next year. Two blocks of 20 +20 MHz will be auctioned, which will allow carriers to deploy LTE technology with maximum performance.
“However, it should be mentioned that in Peru, there is no allocated radio spectrum for a given technology; in that sense, there is a technological neutrality in the use of the band,” Zajec said.
