In the period 2020-2023, Antel, Uruguay's state-owned telecommunications company, has made a direct investment of US$270 million in the country's interior, marking a milestone in the development of telecommunications infrastructure. Antel's president, engineer Gabriel Gurméndez, announced this important investment during the inauguration of the company's premises in the Expo Prado 2023.
Strategic investments in telecommunications
Together with the president GurméndezAntel's vice-president was present, Pablo Lanzthe general manager, accountant Annabela Suburúand the general secretary, attorney at law and notary public Elena Grauertas well as government authorities and directors of public companies.
Gurméndez highlighted that 81% of Antel's infrastructure investments between 2020-2023 were earmarked for the country's interior, reflecting the priority the company has given to these areas since the beginning of its mandate.
Connectivity for all
This massive investment translates into significant improvements in mobile and fiber optic connectivity throughout the country. On the mobile side, US$90 million was allocated to infrastructure expansion, with 173 new sites and more than 1,100 sites upgraded. This initiative has a strong focus on inclusion, bringing Internet to 100 villages in the interior that previously lacked connectivity. On this day, the connection of towns such as La Querencia (Treinta y Tres) and Paso Pereira (Cerro Largo) to the digital world was celebrated.
Regarding 5G, Antel has installed 163 radiobases with this technology, with coverage in all 19 departmental capitals, and plans to expand even further, with more than 270 radiobases planned by the end of the year.
In terms of fiber optics, direct investment exceeded US$142 million, reaching 170 new locations. In addition, improvements were made in another 250 locations and more than 215 thousand new Internet services were provided, with an impressive 98% of data services through fiber.
Price reductions and awards at the Expo Prado
Antel has also had a positive impact on consumers' pockets by reducing the price per gigabyte from 79 (in 2019) to 20 Uruguayan pesos in June 2023, which represents a significant effort to lower communication costs in the country.
In addition to its achievements in infrastructure and prices, Antel received awards at the Prado ExpoThe company won second prize in the "Application of Technology" category and third prize in the "Public Companies" category.
