Rural connectivity in Colombia stood at approximately 29 per cent in 2023, significantly lower than in urban areas. The national digital strategy (CNDS) aims to close the digital gap between rural and urban regions by 2026. What steps have been taken to achieve this?
Bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas is a national priority for Colombia. Our strategy integrates differentiated regulatory measures, incentives for infrastructure sharing and community-driven models tailored to local capacities. This involved introducing targeted measures to foster connectivity in underserved areas. Recognising the operational challenges faced by smaller ISPs, we reduced economic and administrative burdens, for example creating a simplified reporting format. This helped to facilitate their participation and strengthen rural coverage.
We also established a cap on increases in annual fees charged to operators for the use of telecommunications and energy infrastructure. This measure arose from a review of the tariff framework for passive infrastructure (such as poles and ducts). It applies in 794 municipalities selected based on income levels, poverty, geography and service penetration. Its aim is to mitigate barriers to infrastructure deployment and sharing and accelerate the rollout of modern networks in areas where connectivity challenges are greatest.
One of the CRC’s most transformative initiatives was to establish the community-fixed internet model, which introduced more flexible rules to enable communities to provide internet services in regions which traditional operators have historically struggled to reach.
Since 2023, the CRC has also implemented its regional outreach strategy. This involves direct engagement with local authorities, communities and operators to identify and address regulatory and administrative barriers to infrastructure deployment. This approach ensures that interventions are better aligned with local conditions.
These efforts have produced encouraging results, including the launch of new community-based connectivity models and measurable improvements in service indicators across specific regions. Nonetheless, challenges persist in ensuring the long-term sustainability of these models, enhancing inter-institutional coordination, and expanding essential transport and energy infrastructure.
Collaborative regulation is set out in the CNDS as the desired approach to digital regulation. Can you give some examples this and of how the different regulatory bodies cooperate?
Our regulatory improvement policy is the framework guiding our efforts toward participatory, flexible and evidence-based regulation. The policy emphasises transparency, accountability, early stakeholder engagement and the systematic use of regulatory impact assessments (RIAs). Through this framework, the CRC has deepened engagement with the digital ecosystem, integrated international best practices and developed innovative mechanisms for regulatory collaboration.
The transition to digital government is more than a technological upgrade; it represents a fundamental transformation of the relationship between the state and its citizens
A notable example is the ‘convergent regulatory sandbox’, a platform allowing industry participants to test proposals that require regulatory flexibility. Its value lies in uniting the CRC’s two decision-making divisions – Communications, and Audiovisual Content – within a single forum which maintains their independence while fostering a cross-sector perspective.
Another key initiative is ‘SimpleMente CRC’ (‘Simply CRC’), an open platform where citizens, operators and experts can propose regulatory adjustments or simplification measures. It is a year-round operation which enables continuous dialogue beyond traditional public consultation processes.
The CRC also works closely with the Ministry of ICT, the National Spectrum Agency, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), and local governments, particularly on network deployment, service quality and access. This inter-agency collaboration ensures that regulatory initiatives translate into tangible outcomes rather than remaining theoretical.
Colombia is noted for its progression towards a digital government ecosystem. What actions has the CRC taken from a regulatory perspective to support this transition?
The transition to digital government is more than a technological upgrade; it represents a fundamental transformation of the relationship between the state and its citizens. The CRC has focused on modernising its regulatory framework, digitising procedures, and making regulations more accessible and user-friendly.
In 2025, we achieved a major milestone when we issued two new resolutions which simplified over 190 regulatory measures. These changes reduced administrative burdens, improved regulatory clarity and updated provisions to reflect evolving digital contexts. This effort is part of our broader commitment to ongoing regulatory improvement and modernisation, which includes the systematic use of RIAs to support proportionate, evidence-based decision-making.
Another resolution strengthened the requirements for providing users with information through digital channels, particularly for mobile services.
Internally, we have incorporated technologies such as robotic process automation (RPA), machine learning and blockchain to optimise procedures, strengthen information traceability and security and streamline data management. This includes enhancing RPA bots in key procedures, training and certifying staff in their use, and adopting artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot to boost productivity, facilitate content creation and improve the overall work experience.
Collectively, these initiatives are bringing Colombia closer to a government that is not only digital but also transparent, reliable and citizen centric.
Smart cities are a central component of Colombia’s digital development, but they also raise concerns regarding privacy and cybersecurity. How is the CRC addressing these challenges?
One of our latest initiatives is the regulatory project ‘Measures to Mitigate Cyber Fraud through Mobile Services’. This project addresses the rising incidence of fraud exploiting SMS, USSD codes (quick codes), and other value-added services to deceive users, steal personal data and commit identity theft.
The project seeks to strengthen traceability, transparency and security within the mobile ecosystem – critical elements for building trust in smart cities. Proposals include stricter oversight of short code usage, higher operational standards for mobile operators and closer coordination among government entities such as the Ministry of ICT, the SIC and the national police.
The initiative goes beyond imposing obligations. It aims to foster collective solutions that prevent risks before they materialize, while equipping users with the tools to identify and report potential fraud.
The draft regulation was recently released for public consultation, underscoring our belief that cybersecurity policies must be co-created with input from all ecosystem actors, including operators, technical experts, citizens, local authorities and digital platforms.
As part of our 2025-2026 regulatory agenda, the CRC has also designated security challenges in the digital ecosystem as a strategic priority. This initiative has included sectoral roundtables with national and international telecommunications stakeholders, a recent symposium, ‘Cybersecurity as a Driver of Trust in Telecommunications’ (August 2025) and a forthcoming report summarising the symposium’s discussions and highlighting global best practices.
Quickfire:
What was the last book you read?
‘Think Again’ by Adam Grant. The book explores how mental flexibility, humility and curiosity are crucial for personal and collective growth, encouraging us to embrace being wrong and to cultivate environments that foster lifelong learning.
A movie or show you’d recommend?
Sci-fi series – Foundation; movie – Interstellar.
Where did you most recently go on holiday?
Santa Marta on Colombia´s Caribbean coast.
What dish would you recommend to anyone visiting Colombia?
You should try ajiaco. It is a delicious soup with three kinds of potatoes, corn, chicken and a native herb called guascas. It´s usually served with white rice and avocado.
and then