Two stories involving enhanced coverage and connectivity have emerged from Brazil this week – one involving satellite networks for enterprises, operators and aviation, and the other involving terrestrial internet access for schools.

State-backed Argentinean provider ARSAT is reportedly planning to deploy fixed wireless access (FWA) services using its 700MHz and AWS spectrum holding.

The Costa Rican government reportedly gave permission for Elon Musk’s broadband provider Starlink to operate in the country in Q4 this year. 

A Federal Court in Argentina has issued several directives to the country’s regulator ENACOM relating to its upcoming 5G spectrum auction, just days ahead of the deadline for bids.

Brazilian regulator Anatel's board of directors has approved a survey that addresses the very high payments made to the public purse by the telecommunications sector. It will be forwarded to the ministries of finance and communications, bodies responsible for studying and proposing legal changes related to the taxation of the sector. 

What appears to be a stand-off involving operators, the regulator and the country’s finance ministry over spectrum prices looks set to continue in Mexico.

Colombia’s telecoms regulator announced operators Claro, Movistar, WOM and Tigo agreed to invest a total of COP3.5 billion (US$876m) into connectivity infrastructure, a move to connect a further 12 million new users and increase the number of connected citizens.

Trans Americas Fibre System the name behind the new TAM-1 submarine cable system (formerly known as Trans Caribbean Fibre System) and Xtera, a provider of subsea and telecom technology, have announced that initial construction has begun on TAM-1.

Satcoms company Astranis is partnering with Mexican ISP Apco Networks on what it describes as a two-satellite programme to bring affordable broadband internet to five million people.

Mexico’s CFE TEIT and multi-orbit satellite player SES have announced the delivery of voice and data services enabled by SES’s mobile backhaul solution to 400 underserved, remote villages and communities across the country via the very high-throughput (HTS) SES-17 Ka-band satellite.

Following last week’s news that 5G spectrum is finally about to go on sale in Argentina, the country's three main mobile operators have been quick to express concern at the terms laid down by regulator Enacom – and now have been joined by industry association the GSMA.

Chip manufacturer Intel revealed plans to invest US$1.2 billion into its Costa Rican business over the next two years, to fuel development in next-generation technologies.

Operator group Millicom announced its CEO Mauricio Ramos will be promoted to executive chair of the board, as former chair Jose Antonio Rios departs effective immediately.  

Latin American markets also saw smartphone shipments fall as the region experienced a 14% year-on-year drop to 27.9 million units in Q2, but is showing signs of recovery according to analyst company Canalys.

The board of Argentine telecom regulator Enacom (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones) has approved the tender for spectrum for the provision of 5G services, albeit two opposition representatives voted against the approval.

Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones, IFT) has approved the takeover of an 18.29% stake in Altan Redes by Australian investment group Macquarie.

The Ecuadorian government announced it will extend America Movil’s current service contract, enabling the operator to continue operations in the country until a new permanent deal is hammered out.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-based operator Flow announced plans to shut down its 2G network this year to free up spectrum to bolster 3G and 4G services.

Is Brazilian regulator Anatel about to decide on the conditions of use of standard power devices in the 6GHz band and ensure their unlicensed use in outdoor and indoor environments?

Brazilian regulator Anatel has signed an agreement with the Japanese government focused on open RAN, with the goal of increasing deployments of the technology in Brazil and developing new business opportunities between the countries.