Ecuador - 3.4 Telecommunications

Ecuador has the first digital transformation agenda in Latin America. The Digital Transformation Law is a true transformation of the country.

Ecuador Digital Project

In the country, the Digital and Audiovisual Transformation Law was unanimously approved, as well as the Fintech Law[1]. Both propose the creation of regulatory sandboxes to digitally promote banking, financial, insurance, and personal finance processes and services, such as wallets, metered transfers, credit cards, all to promote the digital economy.

Also the use of telematic means for notarial procedures, similar for registrations with real estate brokers, everything related to stock market intermediation. In connectivity, community networks are also promoted in rural areas so that they can use their own networks as non-governmental organizations or community media, all with very high cybersecurity components.

Although Ecuador has several fixed line operators and a large number of ISPs, the predominant state-owned CNT leads the fixed line market and, therefore, also the fixed broadband market. However, CNT's share of the fixed line market is declining year on year, while its share of fixed Internet connections has fallen below 24%.

Telephone system

General evaluation of the fixed line service and sophisticated 4G LTE ultra-broadband network;  Much of the country's landline structure is influenced by the topographical challenges associated with the Andes Mountains; Ecuador has a telecommunications market with a dominant mobile sector; The state company CNT dominates the fixed line market and, therefore, also the DSL broadband market.

 

5G technology in Ecuador

According to information from the Global System Mobile Association (GSMA), it is expected that the new technology will begin to be commercialized in Ecuador in 2025.

Currently there are three experimental areas of this technology in the country: two in Guayaquil and one in Manta, as a prior step to the massive arrival of this disruptive technology that will become a key ally of the country's development. The fifth generation of mobile telephony is 10 times faster than the 4G network or even fiber optic connections (under optimal measurement conditions). That is, it will allow browsing at 10 gigabytes per second. For the implementation of the 5G network in its full capacity, the new spectrum bands are required to be tendered by the State, in addition, the preparation of 5G requires large investments in fiber optics, replacement of platforms, and acquisition of new networks and virtualization of components.

 

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Domestic

Fixed line services with digital networks provided by multiple telecommunications operators; fixed line teledensity is approximately 15 per 100 people; Mobile phone use has increased and the number of subscribers has reached 95 per 100 people.

International

Country code - 593; landing points for the PAN-AM and South America-1 submarine cables providing links to the west coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and extending to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; In 2017, Alcatel completed a 6,000 km submarine cable system from Sarasota, Florida, to Manta, Ecuador; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

International links

There are two fiber optic cables that connect Ecuador with some other countries in America: The Pan American cable (PAN-AM) is a submarine telecommunications cable system that connects the west coast of South America and the Caribbean, crossing the continent through Panama. It has landing points in: Arica, Province of Arica, Region of Arica and Parinacota, Chile; Lurín, Lima Region, Peru; Punta Carnero, Guayas Province, Ecuador; Pratt Battery, Colón Province, Panama; Barranquilla, Department of Atlántico, Colombia; Punto Fijo, Falcón State, Venezuela; Baby Beach, Aruba; St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

SAM-1

It is an optical submarine communications cable. It began operations in 2000, connecting the United States, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Guatemala. In 2007, SAm-1 was expanded to reach Ecuador and Colombia.

 

Telephone Services
Is there an existing landline telephone network?	Yes
Does it allow international calls?	Yes
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average)	N/A
Mobile Phone Providers	Conecel S.A (Claro),  Otecel (Movistar) CNT
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage	https://observatorioecuadordigital.mintel.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RESULTADOS_MINTEL_ENERO-2023.pdf

Ecuador ended November 2022 with 1.8 million fixed telephone lines. CNT leads the market with an 83% share, followed by Etapa (6.59%), Claro (5.15%), Setel (3.70%), CenturyLink (0.94%) and Linkotel (0.64). %).

Telecommunications Regulations

The ARCOTEL Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency is the entity in charge of the administration, regulation and control of telecommunications and the radio spectrum and its management, as well as the technical aspects of the management of social media that use frequencies. of the radio spectrum or that install and operate networks.

Thuraya, Began equipment, satellite phones and satellite modems, and VHF, UHF and HF two-way radios, wireless phones for fixed service. For example, CDMA 450 or Wimax require approval. Likewise, those devices that allow direct access to the Internet wirelessly. e.g. Access Point.

Exceptions are computers, laptops, printers, audio and video consoles or other foreign equipment that connects indirectly and wirelessly to the Internet.

 

 

Regulations on Usage and Import
	Regulations in Place?	Regulating Authority
Satellite	Yes	ARCOTEL
HF Radio	Yes	ARCOTEL
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile	Yes	ARCOTEL
UHF/VHF Repeaters	Yes	ARCOTEL
GPS	n/a
VSAT	Yes	ARCOTEL
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required
Yes
Frequency Licenses Required
Yes

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

In Ecuador the United Nations system has some shared telecommunications infrastructure. This equipment is located throughout Ecuadorian territory. This equipment includes VHF repeaters, VSAT stations and other telecommunications devices. A summary of this equipment is detailed in the following chart:

Existing UN Telecommunication Systems
	UNDP	WFP	UNHCR
VHF Frequencies	X	X	X
HF Frequencies	X	X	X
Locations of Repeaters	Quito (2)	ESMERALDAS, TULCAN, SAN LORENZO, LAGO AGRIO
VSAT		X

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

WiFi

Quito and Guayaquil offer the widest range of options to connect away from home. In addition to the hundreds of Internet cafes, WiFi is available in large shopping centers and airports, as well as in some restaurant chains and large hotels.

 

Mobile Internet in Ecuador

When choosing a monthly mobile package from any of the major providers, you'll probably get a certain amount of mobile data included. A pay-as-you-go SIM from any of the major networks should also get you online, as long as the phone has internet capability.

 

Internet speed test in Ecuador

https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/ecuador

https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/ecuador?city=Quito

 

Internet Penetration in Ecuador

According to Internet World Stats, Ecuador has one of the highest levels of Internet penetration in Latin America.

According to the Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), only 16.6% of the country's rural population has access to fixed internet. According to INEC data, there is a gap of 20.6% between the urban area and the rural area of ​​Ecuador.

 

The internet services market is led by:

• CNT with 31.3% of the market

• Megadata (22.5%)

• Conecel (12.1%)

• Setel (11.3%)

• Puntonet (4.61%)

• Stage (3.09%)

• Telconet (1.14%).

 

CNT (National Telecommunications Corporation) is the public telecommunications company of Ecuador that offers local, regional and international fixed telephony services, Internet Access (Dial-Up, DSL, mobile Internet), satellite television and mobile telephony in Ecuadorian territory.

 

Ref. https://www.bnamericas.com/es/noticias/radiografia-al-mercado-de-telecomunicaciones-de-ecuador

The fixed broadband speeds in the country are 24.54 Mbps (download) and 21.11 Mbps (upload) and in the mobile service the download speed is 22.39 Mbps and the upload speed is 10.63 Mbps.

 

Internet Service Providers
Are there ISPs available?	Yes
If yes, are they privately or government owned?	Yes, one (1) CNT is Government property
Dial-up only?	No
Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $)	Dial-up	N/A
	Broadband	50 Mb USD 24.6 70 Mb USD 28, 100 Mb USD 39.-   300 Mb USD 55.-
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth	100 mbps

 

The latest ARCOTEL internet access figures, as of September 2022, show 2.5 million fixed broadband lines, with a penetration of 14.4%.

 

CB Vision - Paute. Internet provider and optic fiber https://www.cbvision.net.ec/index.php/tr/ Tel: 096 100 3000   https://cbvision.net.ec/index.php/en/empresa/about/paute   

Claro Ecuador - Quito. Internet Provider. https://claro.com.ec/

Clicknet - Latacunga. Internet services providert. https://clicknet.ec/

CNT - Quito. https://www.cnt.com.ec/  

Electrocom - Guayaquil. https://www.electrocom.ec/ PBX (5934) 605-2435. 

Extreme - Ambato. https://extreme.net.ec/ Tel: 096315599 / 0995855757

Fibramax - Quito.  https://fibramax.ec/ Tel: 099 20 20 600

Grupo SEICOM - Naranjal.  www.grupo-seicom.webnode.com.ec   Tel: 0960580683

 

 

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

The Mobile Telephony operators that operate in Ecuador are Conecel S.A (Claro), Otecel (Movistar), CNT and Virgin Mobile.

Claro leads the market with a share of 51.7%, followed by Movistar with a share of 30.7% and CNT with 17.6%.

5G technology in Ecuador

According to information from the Global System Mobile Association (GSMA), it is expected that the new technology will begin to be commercialized in Ecuador in 2025.

In November 2023, Motorola relaunched its entire portfolio in Ecuador. The brand will have a direct presence in all retail chains and operators, and through partners and distributors. 80% of the portfolio that will be presented is 5G. Part of Motorola's entry into Ecuador in this new stage is to encourage the development of 5G technology and grow the industry in the country. At the close of this edition, no new progress has been recorded in its implementation.

 

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Company	Number of Agent Outlets by Area	Network Strength by Area	Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer Programmes?	Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursement, Receive & Make Payment)
Claro	Nationwide	https://www.geodata.com.ec /	N/A	Yes, for users, public payments, money transfers, disbursements, etc.
Movistar	Nationwide	https://www.movistar.com.ec/mapa-de-coberturas	N/A	Yes, for users, public payments, money transfers, disbursements, etc.
CNT Ecuador	Nationwide	https://www.nperf.com/es/map/EC/3652462.Quito/-/signal/	N/A	Yes, for users, public payments, money transfers, disbursements, etc.

 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

 

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not able to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.