The Chairman of the Administración Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, ANTEL (Telecom Administration), Carolina Cosse, has announced launching of Internet Universal Service for Homes as from December 1, and the start-up of a plan aimed at taking fiber optic to homes, with the purpose of reaching 30,000 homes by the second half to 2011 and 240,000 in two years.
On this last matter, Cosse pointed out that the tender bid for the installation of fiber optic will be launched next November 30. This first stage will be aimed at densely populated areas, although she clarified that it will then be spread throughout the country.
Regarding Internet Universal Service for Homes, she pointed out that a free Internet connection will be provided to all owners of fixed phones, with an installation cost of US$ 24.5, but with no monthly charge for users.
The announcement is aligned to the purpose of covering 100% of homes with Internet connection, goal set by the company by 2011. Such service will support 256Kb for download; 64 Kb for upload and a monthly traffic limit of 1Gb.
Additionally, she made several announcements related to high range services, such as the installation of free ADSL of 10 Mbps, at a price of US$124.50 per month, with a 50% discount promotion during the first four months. For a monthly traffic of 80 Gb, the amount will be of US$64.50 with a similar promotion. These services will be available in Montevideo and the main cities of the interior of the country.
Additionally, it has been announced that current 4Mb services will be increased to 5 Mb, with no additional cost.
New logo. The head of ANTEL also presented the new company’s logo during the act, and she explained that the new image reflects a “strong will to dialogue, commitment to listen to and answer with actions,” she said. In that sense, she announced that the other brands of the State-owned company (Ancel and Anteldata) will be integrated in the ANTEL conglomerate.
Through a video conference, the President of the Republic, José Mujica, qualified the announcement as “quixotic” and said that he expects citizens and workers accept the challenge and understand that this is a company for everybody.”