Ecuador would have 4G technology before 2014

The first phase of the 4G network (LTE), or high speed data,  will be implemented in the ecuadorian cities of  Quito and Guayaquil  at the end of the current year, by the National Corporation of telecommunications (CNT), while the second phase will include the other cities and will start in 2014.

CNT said through a statement that the initial infrastructure investment will be $28 million, following  the conference on the benefits of the new network that some of its officials attended yesterday, organized by Alcatel-Lucent, company that will provide the infrastructure and technology, while the CNT will offer the service.

Anali Contreras, specialist in mobile solutions of  Alcatel-Lucent , says that users will be able to  access the internet from their mobile devices  10 times faster than current technologies, as well as from their homes or offices through desktop or laptop computers.

In addition, Contreras added that there will be a decongestion of the current networks 2G (voice) and 3G (voice and data), but there will be a co-existence with these technologies.

According to the Superintendency of telecommunications (Supertel), CNT has 2.32% of the mobile market; Conecel (Claro), 68,32%; and Otecel (Movistar), 29.35%. However, while the spectrum to provide 4 G was already assigned to Supertel, for the other two operators the concession is still being analyzed.