Paraguay's 5G tender maintains tech requirement that may exclude Chinese firms

Paraguay's National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) has maintained a technical specification in its second 5G tender that could potentially exclude Chinese technology manufacturers, such as Huawei and ZTE. The requirement mandates that radio access equipment (RAN) must possess the international TIA SCS9001 certification, which is associated with supply chain security.

“

This requirement was in the previous tender and remains in this tender. That has not changed.

Víctor Martínez, Conatel's deputy director, confirmed that this condition was present in the previous tender and remains unchanged. He acknowledged that the requirement might indeed exclude certain manufacturers. "Can this exclude a manufacturer? Yes, it can exclude them," Martínez told ABC Color.

“

Can this exclude a manufacturer? Yes, it can exclude them.

However, Martínez emphasized that Conatel does not issue this certification; it is awarded by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). He rejected claims that the regulator is specifically targeting Chinese manufacturers, stating, "Whether the TIA will grant this certification to certain manufacturers or not is not in Conatel's hands."

“

Whether the TIA will grant this certification to certain manufacturers or not is not in Conatel's hands.

Conatel attributes the inclusion of this requirement to an instruction from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC), aligning with the National Cybersecurity Strategy. Martínez explained that government policy dictates that 5G network infrastructure must meet supply chain security standards. Conatel's actions are thus guided by the government's policies for the sector, as stipulated by the Telecommunications Law.

“

It is an instruction given by MITIC to be in harmony with the National Cybersecurity Strategy.