The Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society, through its regulatory agency ARCOTEL, has approved Resolution Arcotel-2026-0027 on February 9, 2026. This resolution updates the basic plan benefits for Advanced Mobile Service (SMA), including those provided by Virtual Mobile Operators (OMV), as well as the basic residential plans for Internet Access Service (SAI) and Fixed Telephony.
According to the new regulation, discounts will apply to consumption costs in basic mobile phone and mobile internet plans. The updated benefit now includes 10GB of unrestricted data navigation. For SAI, a 50% reduction applies to the monthly consumption of the basic residential plan at the beneficiary’s home, with a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps.
As established by the Organic Law for Older Adults and its regulations, these discounts are intended for older adults. According to INEC data, about one and a half million people could benefit from these measures.
For Fixed Telephony Service, exemptions will be applied to any current commercial plan offered by service providers.
The resolution also requires that providers of Fixed Telephony, Advanced Mobile Service via OMV, and Internet Access Service must provide ongoing information about these benefits to subscribers through all available channels such as physical centers, telephone lines, websites, email, account statements, social media platforms, and mobile applications.
These benefits and exemptions will only be granted to older adults who make an explicit request to their respective service provider.
Additionally, providers may register, consult, and verify information on eligible older adults using ARCOTEL’s National Interoperable Information System. This process must ensure confidentiality in accordance with legal requirements.
ARCOTEL has up to 180 days to implement this national interoperable system for beneficiaries’ registration and verification while ensuring privacy protection and preventing misuse.
Service providers for Fixed Telephony, SMA—including OMV—and Internet Access have two months from publication in the Official Register to update their systems and introduce new plans based on this resolution.
“The National Government reaffirms its commitment to guaranteeing the rights of older adults by promoting a more equitable and inclusive telecommunications system,” according to an official statement from authorities.
