Mexico’s GigNet has chosen Tejas Networks’ optical networking and broadband access products for its high-capacity fiber optic network expansion in the Cancun region of Mexico.

Xiaomi has taken third place in the Latin American smartphone market after rival Huawei dropped out of the top five brands in Q4 2020.

Claro and Entel’s Peruvian units have been cleared to offer 5G new radio (NR) fixed-wireless internet services via their existing 3.5GHz spectrum holdings.

Telefonica is reportedly close to agreeing a deal with Canadian pension fund CDPQ (Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec) to set up a new fibre optic broadband wholesaler in Brazil.

Ecuadorian operator CNT (Corporación Nacional de Telecommunicaciones) has chosen Nokia to help it deploy the country’s first 5G network.

Digital and mobile finance and payment services are continuing to make advances in developing regions – as recent announcements involving Latin America and the Middle East suggest.

Guyana’s prime minister has signed an exemption order for small local internet service providers in a bid to issue them licences more quickly.

After its long-delayed decision to appoint an administrator to develop and enact mobile number portability (MNP), Uruguay’s Regulatory Unit of Communications Services (URSEC) has asked stakeholders to help with the selection process.

Brazilian operator Altarede Telecom has made what it calls a record investment in products from DWDM specialist Padtec to expand routes in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo.

The Dominican Republic expects its upcoming 5G auction to generate between US$200 million and US$300 million, according to Nelson Arroyo, the president of regulator Indotel (Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones).

Ocean Networks (ONI), which develops submarine cable systems for governments, carriers, content providers and research and education groups, has announced the launch of its Caribbean Express (CX) project, an 18-fibre pair subsea cable system linking Florida to Panama and taking in Mexico and Colombia.

Chile’s final tiebreaker auction for 5G spectrum has seen Entel, Movistar and WOM emerge victorious.

Claranet, a technology multinational focused on managed cloud services, has announced an investment of $100 million in its Brazil operation.

Nokia has partnered with Brazil’s independent Telecommunications Research and Development Center (CPQD) to develop applications and solutions tailored for the Brazilian market.

A study by Peru’s regulator Osiptel has found that an additional 36,695 base stations must be deployed by 2025 to meet growing data demand among the country’s subscribers.

Colombia could see a major boost to fixed access with a new agreement that, it is claimed, will provide the capital Bogotá with the largest fibre optic network coverage for fibre to the home (FTTH) in Latin America.

Argentina has an advanced telecom infrastructure though considerable investment is still required to update services in rural areas. To meet pent up demand for telecom services the government has embarked on a large-scale National Broadband Plan.

While Peru has been proactive against the pandemic, the economic cost has been high.

Jamaica could potentially see new operator Rock Mobile enter its telecoms market with a former banking executive at the helm after enquiries were made with the country’s regulator on new entrant market conditions.

Regional Brazilian operator Sercomtel announced a voluntary layoff plan with the aim to reduce its 456 staff by 50%, as part of urgent plans to reduce massive debt and ensure the survival of the company.

Mexican regulator IFT (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones) has approved a public tender for 41 blocks of spectrum across the 800MHz, 1900MHz, 1700MHz/2100MHz and 2.5GHz bands.

Uruguay’s government is appointing a database administrator to begin implementing mobile number portability after many delays.

Cuba’s state-run operator ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba) has affirmed its goal of delivering fixed, wireless or mobile broadband to all districts in the Havana province before the end of 2021.

Tower One Wireless has stated that it has 75 new cell sites under construction across Latin America.

Vogel Telecom has partnered with Ciena to deploy Sao Paulo’s first 800G optical network.

Gilat Satellite Networks won another contract to boost mobile connectivity, this time to expand signal for two Mexican operators in a multi-million-dollar deal from AXESS Networks.

The Brazilian government will not prevent Huawei from competing in 5G auction which is due to be held in June, a potential blow to US government efforts in restricting the manufacturer.

Chile’s regulator Subtel has confirmed that it now plans to auction several 5G frequencies across several rounds of bidding after a stalemate between the initial technical offers received from the country’s major players.