The Venezuelan wireless company Movistar, a unit of the Spanish group Telefónica, announced it is increasing its infrastructure investment in 2012 to U.S.$535 million (Bs.2.300 million). It has also been awarded 20 MHz in the 1900 MHz spectrum band.
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Movistar is expanding capacity of its so-called 3G + network (HSDPA+), installing 230 new cells and enlarging 860 base stations nationwide. The carrier also noted that the additional spectrum will help it respond to the rapid growth in demand for data in Venezuela.
Movistar participated in a bidding process conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission of Venezuela (Conatel), which culminated with the award of 20 MHz of additional radio spectrum.
The company has targeted 95% of its network infrastructure investments to duplicate data. Movistar said it has maintained an aggressive investment plan steadily since arriving in Venezuela. Over the next three years, it is set to invest U.S.$2.325 million (Bs10.000 million) for developing infrastructure, adapting to new technologies and improving its capability to serve the Venezuelan market.
Movistar noted that it will continue to optimize services, while working with the regulator to define network standards for LTE (Long Term Evolution).