Privatization of Telecommunications in Guatemala

A Tale Worth Telling

In 1996, Guatemala adopted one of the most pro-competitive, market-liberal telecom laws in the world, granting property rights to spectrum and opening the market fully to competition.

Critics said that such a radical approach to reform would cause “chaos” in the market. It didn’t happen. Rather, competition surged, prices plunged, and consumers benefited.

This case study tells the story of how this reform came about in the face of serious doubt and significant opposition.