Colombia has a telecommunications authority: the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC, Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones). However, it is reported that the decision making process of this entity is not fully independent from the government.

According to Art. 26 of Law No. 1,581, cross-border transfer of personal data is forbidden unless it is made to a country that offers adequate levels of data protection, as defined by the Colombian data protection authority. The prohibition does not apply in certain cases, including when the data subject authorises the cross-border transfer or when medical data is required for health or public hygiene reasons. According to the law, the institution in charge, "Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio" (SIC), establishes the standards regarding international data transfers.

Art. 5 of Law No. 1,266 establishes that a data transfer between data bank operators is permitted when authorisation is obtained from the data subject or when the destination database has the same purpose as the operator that delivers the data. If the receiver of the data is a foreign data bank, the delivery without authorisation must be done with a written record and due verification that the laws of the recipient of the information offer guarantees for the protection of the rights of the data subject.

Colombia has a copyright regime under Law No. 23. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Arts. 31-44 list the exceptions, which include the use of literary or artistic works or parts thereof as illustrations in works intended for educational purposes; and the reproduction, distribution, and communication to the public of news or other information relating to facts or events that have been publicly disseminated by the press or by broadcasting; among others.
Moreover, Colombia is a member of the Andean Community of Nations and is subject to Decision 351, issued in 1993. Art. 22 of the Decision sets forth a list of mandatory exceptions in the internal market but also allows the adoption of additional exceptions in the domestic law of members, as long as they comply with the international standards of the so-called three-step test.

Concerns have been reported about the enforcement of copyright online. High levels of digital piracy persist, and Colombia has not curtailed the number of free-to-air devices, community antennas, and unlicensed Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services that permit the retransmission of otherwise-licensed content to a large number of non-subscribers. Within marketplaces, there is a high number of illegal streaming websites and visits to illegal websites for live-streaming broadcasting.

The government of Colombia holds 32.5% shares of Colombia Telecomunicaciones SA ESP, which operates under the brand Movistar and focuses mainly on the telephony and mobile connection businesses. In September 2018, the authorities reported that the State was going to sell its stakes in the company but this has not been the case yet. Some public telecommunication companies exist at the local level, for example, ETB (which provides services in Bogotá), EPM (in Medellín), and Metrotel (in Barranquilla).

The country does not mandate functional separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market. However, there is an obligation of accounting separation since 2009. According to Arts. 64 and 65 of Law No. 1,341 "Issues principles and concepts on the information society and the organization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), creates the National Spectrum Agency [...]" (Ley No. 1341 Por la cual se definen principios y conceptos sobre la sociedad de la información y la organización de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), se crea la Agencia Nacional de Espectro [...]), the operators must keep separate accounting. They would be subject to specific sanctions if they do not comply with the requirement.
In addition, according to Arts. 9.1.2.1. and 9.1.2.2. of Resolution 5050 of 2016 (as amended by Art. 1 of Resolution No. 5589 of 2019), Telecommunications Network and Service Providers and/or Pay TV Operators are obliged to adopt separate accounting schemes in compliance with Art. 22 (numeral 19) and Art. 64 (numeral 8) of Law No. 1,341 of 2009.

Art. 12.5 (Chapter III) of Law No. 590 states that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are preferred under equal conditions (price, quality, capacity of supply, and service) in public tenders.

Law No. 816 establishes preference margins to promote domestic goods and services and requires State entities (except residential public utility service providers) to set out the relevant preferences in the procurement documents. Art. 2 states that the preference margin is between 10% and 20% of the total score for tenders of Colombian goods and services and between 5% and 15% for tenders for foreign goods and services incorporating Colombian goods and services components.
In addition, the Government of Colombia applies preference margins and criteria for breaking tie bids to favour national companies. Arts. 20 and 21 of Law No. 80 state that, in equal conditions, national goods or services are preferred.

Art. 471 of the Commercial Code mandates that a foreign company must establish a branch domiciled in Colombia in order to conduct "permanent" business activities within the country. In accordance with Art. 474 of the Code, activities considered "permanent" include acting as a contractor for works or providing services.

There have been frequent complaints about the lack of transparency and rule changes during the award of major government contracts. It has been reported that, despite Law No. 80, transparency, fairness, and truly competitive bidding conditions in many tenders remain uncertain. The Colombian government is also resorting to auctions for the purchase of high-tech or complex equipment. These factors remain significant market access barriers for some companies interested in public sector contracts.

Colombia is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). However, the country has been an observer of the WTO GPA since 1996.

Art. 471 of the Commerce Code stipulates that for a foreign company to engage in "permanent" business in Colombia, it must set up a branch domiciled in the country. According to Art. 474 of the Code, activities deemed "permanent" include:
- Opening commercial establishments or business offices;
- Intervening as a contractor of works or provision of services;
- Obtaining a concession from the Colombian State (or if the State has formally given up rights through another title) or participating in some way in the exploitation of a concession;
- The fact that associate assemblies, board of directors, or administration of a foreign company are operating in the national territory.

It is reported that the provision of data processing and information services in Colombia necessitates the establishment of a formal commercial presence.