10:21 | Lima, Nov. 28 (ANDINA).
Peruvian telecoms regulator Osiptel has forbidden providers of mobile and fixed wireless services from using the terms ‘4G’ or ‘Fourth Generation’ to market their products.
The watchdog said its decision was based on the need to ensure accuracy and clarity of information that operators provide to users with regard to the qualities, properties and characteristics of products and plans – a requirement under Peru’s telecoms regulations.
Osiptel noted that the term ‘4G’, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), denoted technologies with speeds ‘substantially higher’ than those currently available in Peru.
The regulator added that services currently offered under the name ‘4G’ were not materially different from those offered as ‘3G’.
TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database notes that frequencies suitable for the provision of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) services are due to be auctioned in H1 2013, though Movistar Peru trialled the technology in 2010.
Elsewhere, a new entrant to the wireless broadband segment will be obliged by Osiptel’s ruling to overhaul its marketing: WiMAX provider OLO currently offers a range of services as ‘4G’, with its advertisements revolving around the label.
(END) INT/EEP
Published: 11/28/2012