MIC takes full control over Tigo Guatemala
Guatemala's telecom infrastructure is relatively poor for the region, the result of underinvestment. However, there has been some stimulus recently from the US, which has earmarked up to $1.9 billion for local projects aimed at improving telecom connectivity and services across Central America. It is hoped that these upgrades would dissuade migration to the US by enabling locals to take advantage of ICT services locally.In addition, the government and telecom regulator have stepped up their investment efforts, which has resulted in a steady growth in the number of fixed lines. In turn, this has stimulated the take-up of fixed broadband. The local telco Tigo Guatemala in late 2021 became wholly-owned by Millicom, and the unit now accounts for the largest proportion of MIC's revenue.
Two new submarine cables are due for completion later in 2022. Improved international connectivity should drive further uptake of both fixed and mobile broadband services.
Key players including Tigo Guatemala and América Móvil are regional powerhouses which can tap into expertise and financial resources to bolster their Guatemalan businesses. The acquisition of Telefónica's Guatemala business by América Móvil in 2019 created a strong competitor to Millicom, which dominates the mobile sector. Intense competition among the operators has helped to improve services and lower prices for end-users.
Key Developments:
- Viasat set do deliver satellite broadband services across Guatemala;
- COMNET secures additional capacity to provide satellite broadband services;
- Regulator approves the reorder of some spectrum in the 700MHz band, aims to auction 60MHz in the band;
- América Móvil spins off its tower operation;
- South Pacific Cable is made ready for service;
- Guatemala to connect to the Aurora cable system later in 2022;
Table of Contents
- Key statistics
- Regional Latin America Market Comparison
- Market characteristics
- Market Leaders
- Market Challengers
- Market Emergents
- TMI versus GDP
- Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
- Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration
- Country overview
- Telecommunications market
- Historic overview
- Regulatory environment
- Regulatory authority
- Fixed-line developments
- Telecom sector liberalisation
- Privatisation of Guatel/Telgua
- CAFTA-DR
- Interconnection
- Foreign investments
- Mobile market developments
- Spectrum auctions
- Mobile market
- Market analysis
- Mobile statistics
- Mobile voice services
- Mobile broadband
- Mobile infrastructure
- Analogue networks
- Digital networks
- Other infrastructure developments
- Major mobile operators
- Tigo Guatemala (Millicom)
- Claro (América Móvil)
- Movistar
- RED (Intelfon)
- Mobile content and applications
- M-payment
- Fixed-line broadband market
- Market analysis
- Broadband statistics
- Fixed network operators
- Claro/Telgua (América Móvil)
- Movistar (Telefonica - now América Móvil)
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Overview of the national telecom network
- Public payphones
- International infrastructure
- Interconnection with other Central American countries
- Submarine cable networks
- SAm-1
- ARCOS-1
- AMX-1
- South Pacific Cable System (SPCS)
- Aurora
- Satellite networks
- Appendix - Historic data
- Glossary of abbreviations
- Related reports
List of Tables
List of Charts
List of Exhibits
Companies Mentioned
- Amorica Móvil (Movistar
- Claro
- Telgua)
- Tigo (Millicom)
- Telefonica
- Guatel
- Cablenet
- Unitel
- Comcel
- A-Tel
- Columbus Business Solutions
- Ufinet
- Convergence Communications.
