Fiber Optic Backbone Network: they constitute a working group to guarantee its continuity

Internet service became essential for the Peruvian population since the beginning of the pandemic. That is why the project of the National Fiber Optic Backbone Network (RDNFO), which would cover 13 thousand kilometers of a fiber optic network nationwide, is essential for connection access to Peruvian families – especially in regions.

Through ministerial resolution No. 1045-2021-MTC / 01.03, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) resolved the temporary creation of the Sectorial Working Group in charge of guaranteeing the continuity of the National Fiber Optic Backbone Network.

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This working group must develop and propose criteria to ensure the continuity of the RDNFO, as well as evaluate the current regulatory framework. Likewise, it will have the responsibility of proposing the technical, economic and legal criteria to guarantee the continuity of the RDNFO.

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The Sectoral Working Group is made up of the following way. All perform their duties ad honorem and have an alternate representative:

1. Two representatives of the Vice Ministry of Communications
2. The Director General of Communications Programs and Projects
3. The Director General of Policies and Regulation in Communications
4. The Director General of Telecommunications Authorizations
5. The Director General of Communications Inspections and Sanctions
6. The Executive Director of the National Telecommunications Program – PRONATEL

In what situation is the RDNFO?

As of December 2020, only 3.2% of the RDNFO’s installed capacity was used and revenues were generated that covered 7.7% of its costs. Between 2015 and 2021, the State made payments for a total of 290 million dollars for investment, maintenance and operation, which represents a co-financing amount greater than 192 million dollars (about 730 million soles) than the estimated during structuring the project. All that expense, despite the fact that the public purpose of promoting greater access to broadband is not met.

On July 14 of this year, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) reported the final resolution, for public interest, of the concession contract of the National Fiber Optic Backbone Network (RDNFO), held with Azteca Comunicaciones Perú SAC (Azteca) in 2014.

The expiration of this concession would operate until December of this year, the month in which Azteca must initiate the reversion of assets to the State. In addition, Pronatel the operation of the project on a temporary basis in accordance with the provisions of the current legal framework, which would ensure the continuity of the project.