March 23rd, 2020
Through Decree 464 of 2020, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies establishes the following measures to address the state of emergency due to COVID-19:
- Declares telecommunications services, including television and postal services, as essential public utilities. It indicates that the provision of such services, as well as the installation, maintenance and adequacy of networks, may not be suspended.
- Defines special rules for phone and internet service providers and affords subscribers a 30-day additional term to pay outstanding amounts.
- Establishes that e-commerce companies shall prioritize the delivery of goods and services related to the following: food, beverages, basic needs, pharmaceuticals, medical, optical, orthopedic, grooming and hygiene, pet food and medicine, and telecommunications access terminals.
- Authorizes the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) to define rules according to which ISPs may prioritize user access to content or applications related to health services, government websites, work activities, education and the exercise of fundamental rights.
- Orders ISPs to report to CRC, at least every two days, about internet traffic in their networks.
- Indicates that SVOD services shall prioritize transmission of their content in non-HD format.
- Suspends until May 30, 2020 the payment of regulatory fees by telecommunications providers, concessionaires and postal operators.
- Affords flexibility in the compliance of the telecommunications providers quality regime and of other regulatory obligations, in so far as they do not constitute essential elements in the provision of the service.
https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/normativa/decretos-2020/decretos-marzo-2020