3.4 Ecuador Telecommunications

Telecommunications in Ecuador include telephone, radio, television, and the internet. Arcotel is the telecom sector regulator, which is part of the Telecommunications Ministry (MINTEL).

Fixed lines: 2.4 million lines; 14.3 per 100 persons (July 2018). Ecuador has seven fixed-line operators and a large number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the state-owned incumbent CNT dominates the fixed-line market, and thus also the DSL broadband market.

Mobile cellular: 15.4 million subscribers aprox, 55th in the world; 100 per 100 persons (2018). The mobile sector is dominated by América Móvil’s Conecel (trading as Claro), which had a 52.71% share of the market by subscribers as of July 2018. Telefónica’s Otecel (trading as Movistar) has about a third of the market 30.33%, leaving CNT (previously Telecsa/Alegro) with a share of only 16.96%. Virgin Mobile is expected to launch a service in Ecuador, following on from similar launches in Mexico, Chile and Colombia. The government is keen to advance universalisation and improve teledensity, and it is expected that CNT will continue its efforts to expand the country’s fixed-line infrastructure and capitalise on its DSL service, which only took off in 2009. At the same time, a national broadband plan has been implemented to expand and improve internet access for all Ecuadoreans. The fixed broadband market – including DSL, cable modem and fibre-based services – should continue to grow strongly in coming years, with an anticipated focus on fibre as networks are built out from the more densely populated urban areas. The mobile broadband market is also expected to grow strongly as network operators expand the reach of their LTE services.

International country code: 593

Telephone system: General assessment: elementary fixed-line service, but increasingly sophisticated mobile-cellular network. Domestic: fixed-line services provided by multiple telecommunications operators; mobile-cellular use has surged. International: landing points for the PAN-AM and South America-1 submarine cables that provide links to the west coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and extending onward to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Ecuador has multiple TV networks and many local channels, as well as more than 1100 radio stations. Many TV and radio stations are privately owned. The government owns or controls 5 national TV stations and multiple radio stations. Radio and television broadcasters are required by law to give the government free air time to broadcast programs produced by the state. Digital television is available. Que standard is ISDB-Tb.

International Links

There are two fiber optic cables connecting Ecuador to some other countries in America: Panamerican cable (PAN-AM)Is a submarine telecommunications cable system connecting the west coast of South America and the Caribbean, crossing the continent through Panama. It has landing points in:Arica, Arica Province, Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile; Lurin, Lima Region, Peru; Punta Carnero, Guayas Province, Ecuador; Battery Pratt, Colón Province, Panama; Barranquilla, Atlántico Department, Colombia; Punto Fijo, Falcón State, Venezuela; Baby Beach, Aruba; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

SAM-1

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

It has landing points in:

Boca Raton, Florida, United States; Isla Verde, Puerto Rico; Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil; Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil; Santos, São Paulo State, Brazil; Las Toninas, Argentina; Valparaíso, Chile; Arica, Chile; Lurin, Peru; Mancora, Peru; Puerto San Jose, Guatemala; Puerto Barrios, Guatemala; Salinas, Ecuador; Barranquilla, Colombia

When approved in 2000, SAM-1 was to consist of four fiber pairs initially operating at 40 Gbit/s in a self-healing ring configuration, expandable to 48 channels at 10 Gbit/s each, for a total design capacity of 480 Gbit/s, and with multiple upgrade capability using dense wave division multiplexing up to 1.92 terabits per second.

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

Telephone Services

Is there an existing landline telephone network? YES

Does it allow international calls? YES

Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) 0.02%

Mobile Phone Providers CLARO, MOVISTAR, CNT

Approximate Percentage of National Coverage 90%

Telecommunications Regulation

Regulations on Usage and Import

Page 1 Regulations in Place? Regulating Authority

Satellite YES CONARTEL

HF Radio YES CONARTEL

UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile CONARTEL

UHF/VHF Repeaters YES CONARTEL

GPS NO N/A

VSAT YES CONARTEL

Individual Network Operator Licenses Required

YES

Frequency Licenses Required

YES

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

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

Existing UN Telecommunication Systems

UNDP WFP UNHCR

VHF Frequencies X X

HF Frequencies X X

Locations of QUITO (2) ESMERALDAS, TULCAN, SAN LORENZO, LAGO AGRIO Repeaters

VSAT X

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

The Internet is widely available in Ecuador, and home connections and corporate connections are relatively easy to set up. There are quite a few service providers, all of whom who offer a bewildering array of plans and prices. The main Internet service providers in Ecuador are Telconet, TV Cable, CNT and PuntoNet while Claro and Movistar offer thumb drive or ‘dongle’ connections.

WiFi

Quito and Guayaquil offer the widest range of options for going online outside your home. Apart from the hundreds of Internet cafes, WiFi is available at large malls and airports as well as some restaurant chains and big hotels.

Mobile Internet in Ecuador.

Choosing a monthly mobile package from any of the main providers will probably get you get a certain amount of mobile data included. A pay-as-you-go SIM from any of the major networks should also enable you to get online, providing your phone has Internet capabilities.

Internet Service Providers

Are there ISPs available? YES

If yes, are they privately or government owned? BOTH

Dial-up only? NO

Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) $2 USD/mbps (residential); $40/mbps (corporate)

Broadband

Page 2 Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth 100 mbps

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

There are three main MNO in Ecuador: Claro (Telcel), Movistar, and CNT.

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Company Number of Agent Outlets by Area Network Strength by Area Contracted for Services Humanitarian or Offered Government Cash Transfer (i.e. Merchant Payment, Programmes? Bulk Disbursement,

Receive & Make Payment)

MOVISTAR SOS Assistance Movistar provides to its SOS Assistance Movistar provides to its YES mHealth, Native subscribers among other services also medical subscribers among other services also medical voice assistance. The service is available 24hours, 365 assistance. The service is available 24hours, 365 IVR days a year. days a year.

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