Imports of cell phones have grown by 10% over the past 5 years, going from $57 million in 2010 to $63 million in 2015.
Figures provided by the Business Intelligence unit at CentralAmericaData.com show that imports of cell phones measured in tons increased from 342 to 455 between 2010 and 2015. According to the Foreign Trade report by the Central Bank of Nicaragua,"... this product occupies first place in imports of durable consumer goods".
Through an agreement between the government, COSEP and operators, the fee for the installation of antennas charged to telecoms operators has been canceled.
An article on Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that Jose Adan Aguerri, president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) said on Twitter: "We have reached an agreement with Telcor to repeal Agreement 003-2015 and restore force to Agreement 010 -2012. "
A draft bill, if approved, would give the State permission to access confidential information on private companies and create a state company that controls access to the Internet.
Representatives from the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) argue that this draft law goes against the "principles of free enterprise," which if approved would become "an anti private investment law".
A year after obtaining the concession, the Chinese telecom company has started importing the equipment necessary for the provision of services for fixed and mobile telephones and internet.
An article in Elmundo.com.sv reports that "The government of Nicaragua expects that Xinwei will invest $700 million in 2013, just in setting itself up as a company, said Orlando Castillo, CEO of Telcor, who stated that the total investment will culminate at the end of 2015."
Resistance by telecommunications companies and business associations in Nicaragua has forced the government to cancel the severely criticized rule .
The resolution issued by the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications (Telcor) less than a month ago, ordered companies to submit for approval, by the Nicaraguan Telecommunications Institute, the appointment of directors and managers in IT, and systems and security .
There will no longer be a mass transfer of cellular antennas located in urban areas.
After a meeting between representatives from Claro, Movistar and Telcor with members of the Infrastructure Committee of the National Assembly, it was decided that within thirty days the telephone companies will submit a draft reform to the committee .
"... phone companies Claro and Movistar along with Telcor have 30 days to submit to the Committee on Infrastructure a comprehensive reform to the law regulating the location and installation of mobile phone masts."
The announcement by the Costa Rican state telecom company, that it will not take part in the tender organized by TELCOR, apparently leaves the competition with only the Chinese consortium Xinwei.
Laprensa.com.ni reports that "The announcement by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) occurred following a publication in the newspaper La Prensa which revealed that the bidding terms and conditions established by Telcor for this tender were designed to favor the bid by the Chinese consortium, whose arrival in the country is being promoted by Laureano Ortega, son of President Daniel Ortega, from his post at the para-governmental agency Pro Nicaragua. The ICE’s exit from the tender along with Claro Movil and Telefonica Movistar due to "locks" built into the bidding terms and conditions, leaves Xinwei practically as the only bidder. This means that the main argument for awarding them the contract is that their offer will be the only one."
Chinese companies such as Xin Wei, Wang Wei y Datang Mobile have been added Movistar, Claro and another two unidentified Telecom’s companies in the list of those cinterested in the bidding for the 1785-1805 MHz band.
Indications from Costa Rica are that the state run telecommunications company was one of those who acquired the documents for conditions of the bid, valued at $3,000.
The Nicaraguan Institute for Telecommunications and Postal Services is putting out an international public tender in order to expand the mobile phone market to three companies.
The segment of frequencies to be tendered is the 1785-1805 MHz in the 1800 MHz band.
According to an article in Trincheraonline the bidding rules also say that "the new firm may 'operate' in 'rural areas' in order to 'promote' the development of telecommunications in areas outside the cities. '
The Asian company Datang Mobile will support the government in installing high-tech infrastructure.
As part of the efforts the Ortega administration is making to promote Nicaragua in world trade, a cooperation agreement has been signed between the Chinese company Datang Mobile, one of the most important in the global technology sector, and the government.
The subsidiary of Russian state company Rostejnologuii will invest $50 million, looking to double the number of fixed telephony users.
3 other companies participated in the bidding process: Claro, Movistar and Amnet Newcom.
Orlando Castillo, executive president of the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications (Telcor), explained that "... along the way 'some' companies, which were not identified, withdrew from the process, as they didn't clarified which equipment and technology was to be used in developing the fixed telephony network", reported Google News.
Although the project is not well-known in the country, the President of the Nicaraguan Institute of Communications has commented in Cuba that the proposal is already ready.
The President of the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Mail (Telcor), Orlando Castillo, commented a few days ago, in the 2009 XIII Data Processing International Convention and Fair, which was held in Cuba, that the initiative that entails a new telecommunications law in Nicaragua will be ready soon.