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Argentina cancels Clarín’s licence
20 August 2010
Media group Clarín has had its telecoms licence cancelled by the government of Argentina
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Argentina
Clarin
Clarín
Fibertel
Telecom Italia
Telefónica
The government of Argentina has cancelled the operating licence of Fibertel, a broadband internet provider owned by the Clarín media group. The government alleges the company was providing the service illegally.
Clarín, which the state regularly accuses of biased reporting, has 90 days to notify customers and allow them time to select a new provider.
In 2007, Clarín merged Fibertel with local cable television provider Cablevision. It began selling Fibertel services under the Cablevision licence. The government, led by President Cristina Fernandez, claims approval for the deal did not include the operations of Fibertel.
Clarín opposes this view, saying Fibertel’s operations predate the tie-up and should therefore have been included.
Earlier this month, the national communications commission said Fibertel cannot take on new customers as it lacks the proper operating licence.
Clarín is considering legal action and does not expect the company to be affected, said the company’s CFO, Alejandro Urricelqui.
Subsidiaries of Telecom Italia and Telefónica are the main competitors of Clarín in Argentina. GTB