The Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) ratified the economic sanction imposed on Colombia Telecommunications SAESP BIC (COLTEL)a company that operates in the country under the brand Movistarafter solving the replacement resource filed by the telecommunications company.
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The determination comprehensively ratifies the sanction initially captured in the CRC Resolution 8166 of 2026establishing a financial obligation which amounts to 2,733,760,575 pesos.
This amount is exactly equivalent to 1,920.45 current legal monthly minimum wages corresponding to the year 2025.
The administrative sanctioning procedure originated as a result of the breach by the supplier in its substantial obligation to report data and indicators required by the regulatory authorityan essential element for the monitoring connectivity services in the national territory.
Telefónica logo Photo:EL TIEMPO Archive
Legal foundations and origin of administrative action
He legal framework that supports this measure is directly based on paragraph 19 of article 22 of the Law 1341 of 2009a provision that was later modified by article 19 of the Law 1978 of 2019. These regulations explicitly grant the CRC the legal power to require extensive, accurate, truthful and timely information to all providers of communications networks and services, open television broadcasting and sound broadcasting that operate in the local market. The state regulator constantly uses these data streams to structure the sector policies and verify compliance with market conditions.
The detailed evaluation of the arguments presented by COLTEL’s defense was carried out under the parameters of the due process and respecting the guarantees of contradiction provided for in current legislation.
Following this examination, the Commission determined that the conduct of the technical operator was materially unlawful.
Likewise, the CRC’s institutional analysis concluded that the service provider company acted with full knowledge of legal obligation that demanded the delivery of documentation and technical information previously requested through the official channels of the control body.
This is the headquarters in Bogotá of Telefónica Colombia Photo:Telefónica social networks
Data implications in the market supervision
The sector authority specified that the provision of reports and metrics by telecommunications companies does not constitute an accessory requirement or a simple formal burden.
In the CRC technical scheme, this duty is classified as a substantial obligation that supports the regulatory structure.
The technical body argued that the absence of true and timely data directly mitigates the capacity of the State to carry out market auditsidentify operational contingencies, evaluate the competition levels between the participating companies and design protection measures aimed at end consumers of the services.
With the ratification of this administrative actthe Commission expressed its position of maintaining the application of its legal powers in sectoral inspection processesdirecting their actions towards the increasing levels of transparency in the communications market and ensuring the functioning of services computer and telephone services for the benefit of the country.
Telefónica logo. Photo:Instagram @telefonica
The structured data requirements allow the regulator evaluate competitive dynamics and correct operational asymmetries between the different agents that make up the digital ecosystem. Regarding the significance of this case and the obligations of the operators, Felipe Díaz Suaza, Commissioner and Executive Director of the CRCexplained the scope of the regulatory measure:
“Regulation cannot be done in the dark, nor can the State supervise a strategic sector with incomplete, late or fragmented information. The delivery of extensive, accurate, truthful and timely information is not a courtesy of the regulated nor a minor procedure, it is a legal obligation and one minimum condition of responsibility in front of the country,” he said.
Díaz pointed out that “when an operator fails to fulfill that dutynot only ignores an administrative requirement; affects the capacity of the regulator to read the market, anticipate risks, correct failures, protect users and make informed public decisions. The CRC will exercise its powers firmly. In a sector that lives on trust, information is not hidden, it is delivered”.
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