Latin America now has 14 commercial LTE networks in nine countries, according to the latest count by the industry association 4G Americas. Last week it was Paraguay’s turn. The state-owned operator Copaco launched its LTE network, and the service is currently available in the capital Asuncion and the surrounding area.
Copaco has deployed 109 radio bases throughout Paraguay, including 89 in the Asuncion metropolitan area, one in Pilar, five in Encarnacion and 14 in Ciudad del Este.
The first four commercial LTE networks in Latin America and the Caribbean were deployed at the end of 2011.
According to Erasmo Rojas, 4G Americas director of Latin America and the Caribbean, these LTE networks, coupled with 51 commercial HSPA+ mobile broadband networks in the region, reflect hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in the economy; they offer vast opportunities for mobile Internet connectivity and new user experiences for both enterprises and consumers.
The 14 commercial LTE networks are located in Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Brazil (two), Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay (two), Puerto Rico (four) and Uruguay.
4G Americas forecasts there will be 40 commercial LTE networks by 2015, and Informa Telecoms & Media expects 93,000 LTE connections at end of 2012.
