Interview with Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM in Colombia. He spoke about the revitalization of the market after the arrival of the firm in Colombia, a place where they hope to build a country.
In such a difficult time, which has been since the pandemic began, what was the potential that WOM saw in Colombia?
The country has twenty million people without access to 4G technologies and the cost per GB paid by Colombians is one of the highest in the region. This is why we saw the possibility of dynamizing the telecommunications market, in order to generate more connectivity opportunities. Added to this are the National Government’s policies aimed at reducing the country’s digital divide, including the ICT Law and the 2019 spectrum auction, which allowed WOM to enter Colombia. Also, we saw a serious and guarantor legal framework in technical, telecommunications and foreign investment issues, which was a great motivation to come to Colombia to generate development and jobs in the midst of a pandemic. Colombia has an ally in WOM to continue building a country and bring connectivity to all regions. With our recent entry into operation, this impact is already beginning to show: according to CPI data for the month of April, the prices corresponding to mobile telephony services reached the lowest value in the last nine months, with a reduction of 1.09% .
How is the investment plan that WOM has?
Our commitment to the country is long-term. We have an investment plan of US $ 1 trillion for the next four years, of which we have already made investments of US $ 266 million.
In the social aspect, where is WOM’s social responsibility or will it be focused?
One of our objectives is to connect the disconnected and generate fair prices in the market in order to democratize connectivity in the country. Simultaneously with our commercial network deployment, during the last year, we have been working to fulfill the commitment acquired with the National Government, which consists of bringing connectivity for the first time to rural areas throughout the country. Connecting these remote areas is only the first part, since we will also be focused on generating tools in these communities that allow their inclusion in the digital society.
How will they generate more connectivity opportunities?
Prices on the market are more fair today. Users have seen changes in the rates of mobile telephony services driven by the entry of WOM. Now, the impact is not only on prices, the cost per GB relationship has also changed. Before the market offered plans with 11 GB at $ 60,000, and now for the same price they offer 40 GB. This creates more connectivity opportunities for Colombians, because it allows an increase in the average use of data at more affordable prices. Similarly, we arrived in the country with the purpose of delivering more to Colombians. An example of this is our WhatsApp benefit for prepaid users, with which from a recharge of $ 1,000 people can use the application, with all its functionalities, unlimitedly for one year. Without a doubt, it is a significant impact on access to connectivity.
Follow the news of El Espectador on Google NewsHow long will it take for rural WOM users to have access to the internet?
Our purpose as a company is to generate better connectivity conditions for Colombians. In line with the commitments made with the National Government during the 2019 spectrum auction, today 674 communities in 26 departments of the country are already connected for the first time in their history. Even this connectivity that we are taking to remote areas of the country is 100% 4G, marking a milestone for the Colombian industry and telecommunications. We are the operator that advanced the fastest with all the coverage commitments acquired in the auction.
How many jobs have they created in the country?
We have generated more than 1,850 direct jobs in the last year nationwide. We hope to complete in 2021 with 2,500 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect jobs nationwide.
How important do you think it is for a country to have good connectivity?
A study developed by the consulting firm ADL and the Chalmers University of Technology found that a 10% growth in mobile broadband penetration results in a 1.2% increase in GDP. In other words, better connectivity in the country generates a positive impact on economic and social growth. The pandemic has shown us that connectivity is essential to give continuity to all our activities, from studying and working to maintaining our social interactions. Since our arrival, we have had the firm intention of contributing to closing the digital divide and democratizing telecommunications for Colombians. We know this translates into progress and better opportunities. That is why every day the more than 1,800 people who are part of WOM work with all the commitment to deliver to the country the telecommunications company that all Colombians deserve.
