Cotel to launch fixed wireless network in 2011 – Bolivia

By Juan Pedro Tomás | Business News America
Bolivian telecoms cooperative Cotel expects to deploy a fixed wireless network during 2011, Cotel planning manager Delfin Mejia told BNamericas.
Cotel is in talks with Korean firm Seah for this project, Mejia said, but he was unable to provide information on the estimated cost, limiting himself to saying that the Korean firm offers convenient financing possibilities.
With this new network infrastructure, the telco expects to offer voice and internet services in the cities of La Paz and El Alto. According to the executive, this project will require the deployment of approximately 40 base stations.
“We believe that this network could be launched in the second half of next year, possibly by September,” Mejia said.
In an initial phase, 80% of the new fixed wireless network will be used for the provison of telecoms services in El Alto while the remaining 20% will serve capital La Paz, according to the executive. “El Alto is a city which has been experiencing very high population growth in recent years,” he added.
The new network will be expanded to the provinces in a second phase, Mejia added.
Cotel offers fixed telephony as well internet and pay-TV services. It recently launched triple play services in La Paz.