Paraguay Implements New Telecommunications Service Quality Regulations

As of January 1, 2026, Paraguay’s national Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) enacted new regulations designed to improve the quality of telecommunications services across the nation. These rules apply to all mobile and fixed telephone and internet service providers, setting specific, measurable goals for accessibility, availability, and speed [[1]].

Key Provisions of the New Regulations

The regulations, formalized through Board Resolution No. 3196/2025, consist of eight titles and five annexes. A core principle outlined in the resolution emphasizes that the quality of service delivered by providers is directly linked to the quality of their underlying networks.

Call Quality Standards

For basic telephone services, the regulations establish the following targets:

• Completed Local & National Long Distance Calls: 98%
• Completed International Long Distance Calls: 68%

Failure to meet these standards is subject to penalties.

mobile and Fixed Internet Accessibility

The regulations set high accessibility benchmarks for both mobile and fixed internet services:

• Telephone Call Accessibility: 95%
• Data Accessibility (3G/4G Upload/Download): 95%
• Triumphant Data Transfer rate: 95%

These accessibility goals are also sanctionable if not consistently met.

Fixed Internet Performance

Specific performance indicators for fixed internet services include:

• Effective Speed Rate (Download/Upload): 80%
• Availability: 95%
• Failure Repair rate: 98%

Providers are expected to maintain these levels, with non-compliance leading to potential sanctions.

Enforcement and Monitoring

CONATEL is responsible for the application and enforcement of these regulations [[2]]. Service providers are required to conduct monthly measurements to verify compliance, and CONATEL retains the right to independently verify these results.

Addressing Regional Disparities

The regulations acknowledge potential disparities in service availability across Paraguay.CONATEL will conduct periodic studies to identify underserved rural and neglected areas. these regions may be subject to temporarily differentiated goals to encourage the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure and services.

Security Measures

Providers are mandated to implement robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access, fraudulent activity, malicious degradation of service, misuse, and natural disasters.

Sanctions for Non-Compliance

Repeated failure to meet established service quality goals will be considered a violation, subject to sanctions outlined in the “Sanctions Regime” of Law 642/95 on Telecommunications. Specifically, a second instance of non-compliance for any given indicator within the validity period of a provider’s license will trigger penalties.

Implications for Consumers and Providers

These new regulations represent a notable step towards improving the quality of telecommunications services for consumers in Paraguay. Providers will need to invest in network upgrades and monitoring systems to ensure compliance, potentially leading to increased costs but ultimately benefiting users with more reliable and faster services. CONATEL’s role as a regulator and enforcer will be crucial in ensuring these improvements are realized [[3]].