Mercedes Aramendía

Mercedes has over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications sector, having worked in the private and public sectors, academia, and with civil society. Among her notable experience, she served as president of the Communications Services Regulatory Unit (URSEC) from April 2020 to January 2025, leading key transformations in the telecommunications sector in Uruguay. During her tenure, she implemented number portability, led the 5G spectrum auction, and opened up competition for fixed-line internet services to the home.

From July 2021 to January 2025, she also served as president of the National Council for Innovation, Science, and Technology (CONICYT), where she participated in various studies and analyses related to the evaluation of Uruguay’s National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation (PENCTI). 

​She previously held senior positions in the telecommunications sector and at the Uruguayan Chamber of Telecommunications, where she contributed to various regulatory initiatives and bills. She is currently Academic Director and Professor of the Postgraduate Program in Digital Transformation and Law at the University of Montevideo and actively works at the intersection of law, technology, and innovation.

​She holds a PhD in Legal Sciences from the University of Granada, an LLM in Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship from Cornell University (Cornell Tech), an MBA from EAE Business School, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Management and Organization from Camilo José Cela University, a Law Degree and a Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession from Antonio de Nebrija University, and is a lawyer and holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Administrative Law from the University of Montevideo.