Paraguay’s wireless operators reached U.S.$466 million (2.067 billion guaranÃes) in sales during the first half of 2012,  a growth of 19.5% over the cumulative sales of the same period of 2011.
Follow RCR Wireless News—Americas on Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to our free periodic newsletters
According to data from Paraguay’s Ministry of Finance, the growth rate for the first half of 2012 is higher than the 17.5% rate for the same period of 2011.
The government noted that the increase in mobile phone sales occurred because of the rise in disposable income and consumption, as well as the significant investments made by telecom companies to provide additional services, such as Internet, mobile phone transactions and cable, among others.
National Telecommunications Plan
Last year, the Paraguayan government launched its National Telecommunications Plan, which goes by the Spanish acronym PNT, with ambitious objectives, focusing mainly on boosting broadband access. Among its main goals, the plan overseen by telecom regulator Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Conatel) aims to reach 50% of homes with broadband by 2015 and deploy 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) of urban-fiber optic cable per year.
PNT stipulates investment of U.S. $150 million per year until 2015. In 2009, investments were less than $100 million, which is lower than the average rate of Latin America countries. Since 2006, public and private investment in Paraguay’s telecom sector has increased, with mobile accounting for the biggest portion, the government said.
The currency exchange rate at time of story: U.S.$1 = 4,435.00 PYG
