10 Jan 2013

Paraguayan telco Tigo is working to conclude its deployments of cable infrastructure in the cities of Lambare, San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora and Luque, NexTVLatAm reports, citing comments from Tigo’s Home Services unit manager, Raul Ibanez. The development marks Tigo’s first activities in the sector since finalising its takeover of Cablevision Paraguay from Argentina’s Grupo Clarin, for an enterprise value of USD150 million, on 1 October 2012. Following the Cablevision deal Tigo unveiled a full suite of cable broadband tariffs, spearheaded by a premium 10Mbps option, which is priced at PYG619,000 (USD140.2) per month. It remains unclear whether the new infrastructure will be two-way capable, or whether it will solely utilised for cable TV at launch.

Paraguayan fixed line incumbent Copaco and its mobile subsidiary Hola Paraguay (Vox) have agreed to turn Villarrica, the capital of the Guaira Department, into a ‘digital city’ through the deployment of a free public Wi-Fi network and also a community telecentre. Villarrica is heavily supported by its agricultural and dairy sectors, and the connectivity plans form a key part of the local government’s attempts to reduce the digital divide.

Finally, according to BNAmericas, just 8,000 mobile subscribers have ported their numbers since the implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) at the end of November 2012. TeleGeography notes that the service is priced at PYG21,864 (USD4.82) and includes an eight-day processing window.