State-owned operator Copaco announced a cash injection of US$10 million this year to expand mobile coverage and its fibre optics network in Paraguay.
Copaco president Sante Vallese revealed the operator is relying on loans from “banking entities as well as customer uptake of services,” reported BNamericas.
Vallese added there is a US$12.9 million debt which was inherited from previous the government that has almost been fully paid, now the focus is on investment to grow.
Currently, Copaco’s fibre network connects 300 neighbourhoods in 33 locations. It has a total of 50,000 fibre optic connections, which equates to an investment of US$500 per home.
In 2021 the company deployed 3,700km of fibre optics, which is up 54% from 2020, Vallese pointed out. Copaco has deployed 8,500km of fibre optics since 2018. Over 6,000 fibre optic lines are out of service due to cable theft as copper prices increased.
