In June, Antel began deploying 5G technology in Uruguay via spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band.
Uruguay’s state-run telecommunications operator Antel has announced that it has completed the launch of 5G services in the country’s 19 prefectural capitals, a local newspaper reported.
The carrier said it recently introduced 5G service to the city of Durrazno.
In June, Antel began deploying 5G technology in Uruguay via spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band.
The company said that in the initial phase, about 300,000 customers had access to 5G in the cities of Montevideo, Colonia, Maldonado and Canelones.
Uruguay’s telecommunications regulator Ursec had reserved a 100 megahertz spectrum block for Antel in a previous spectrum auction. Rival carriers Claro, owned by Mexican carrier América Mobil, and Movistar, owned by Spanish carrier Telefónica, also secured 5G spectrum during a 5G auction held in May. The carriers, who were the only bidders in this process, each acquired his 100 MHz block in the 3.5 GHz band for a total of $56 million.
Ursec said that during the first two years of the agreement, the carrier must install a total of 70 antennas across the country and deploy at least two base stations in at least 10 geographical “provinces” excluding the capital Montevideo. It was stipulated that there is. Within the next 36 months, Claro and Movistar must install at least two base stations in each of his 19 divisions.
The 5G auction was controversial as Ulusek decided to exclude local operator Dedicado, which had expressed interest in the spectrum. Local carriers also believed that the basic charges set by the watchdog were high. In addition to Movistar, Claro and Dedicado have also filed appeals regarding the price of 5G frequencies.
In April 2019, Antel launched a pre-commercial 5G network in Montevideo using spectrum in the 28 GHz band already allocated to the company for FWA services. Later, Claro and Movistar gained temporary access to spectrum in the 28 GHz band to test his 5G services, including FWA.
Uruguay’s 5G subscribers are expected to reach 4 million by 2030, up from 900,000 in 2025, according to a report by telecommunications association GSMA.
According to a GSMA report, 5G penetration in the Uruguayan market is expected to reach 13% by 2025 and expand to 65% by 2030.
The GSMA also pointed out that 5G networks will cover 99% of Uruguay’s population by 2030, up from 25% in 2025.
According to the GSMA, 5G is expected to reach 57% of all mobile connections in Latin America by 2030, compared to current penetration of around 2%.
The GSMA report states that 5G penetration in the region will be 11% by 2025. At that point, 5G will reach double-digit percentages of total connections in five countries in the region: Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, and Argentina.
