Ecuador, a South American country situated on the equator, features diverse geographical landscapes from coastal plains to highland valleys and Amazonian rainforests. This can pose significant challenges for technology and telecommunications infrastructure due to varied terrain and isolated communities. Regional disparities in population distribution are also apparent, with the majority concentrated in urban areas like Quito and Guayaquil, while significant portions remain in remote, rural areas. Internet penetration is relatively high in urban areas, but with less coverage in rural regions. Ecuador's Galapagos Islands also present distinctive connectivity challenges due to their remote location, however with the introduction of Starlink and the Galapagos Cable System the challenge has become significantly lessened. Ecuador has sought to address connectivity issues with projects like the National Fibre Optic Network which now covers over 90% of the country. The country also shows promise in the renewable energy sector, harnessing its abundant hydropower potential, and has implemented solar power solutions in isolated regions like the Galapagos.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 3 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Claro is the largest mobile network operating in Ecuador. The company was founded in 2002 as a wireless broadband provider branded as Ecutel and held by local Emerica Group. In 2007 the company was acquired by America Movil (via Telmex), rebranding to Claro in February 2011. Claro Ecuador is a subsidiary of América Móvil S.A.B. de C.V, an international telecommunications group with operations in a range of countries throughout South America.
CNT is a mobile network operating in Ecuador. The now state-owned operator entered the market in 2003 as Telecsa S.A. (branded Alegro), the product of Andinatel and Pacifictel S.A. Alegro's 450 MHz CDMA network had limited success and was absorbed by Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CNT) in 2010 to become a wholly state-owned network.
Movistar is a mobile network operating in Ecuador. The company was formed in 1994 as Otecel S.A. (branded as CelularPower and later BellSouth), a local and privately owned Ecuadorian enterprise. In 2005 the company was acquired and became a subsidiary of international telecommunications giant Telefónica. Telefónica is a 100% listed company operating in 21 countries across the globe.