The company TV Cable announced an investment of US$ 500 thousand to offer broadband Internet through WiMax technology in the city of Guayaquil. TV Cable expects to start offering the service by mid-September and it expects to reach the 4,000 users in the first phase and some 60 thousand in a second stage. The company has already installed three WiMax towers in the way to Daule with a 15 kilometer coverage, reason why the bet is aimed at the industrial and commercial sector. According to César Yépez, TV Cable technical manager, the technology is already present, and only the devices are missing and waiting to be installed to launch WiMax in Guayaquil.
The Group where TV Cable takes part (also integrated by Setel, Satnet and Suratel) registers more than 30 thousand users in the country through the different allied companies, offering telephony, cable television and Internet services.
In the local market, there are three firms that have licenses to exploit Wi Max: Andinatel, Telecom, TV Cable, and a fourth that is in struggle with Pacifictel and Etapatelecom. Julio Orellana, Pacifictel's president announced that he will request the National Secretariat of Communications (SENATEL) the frequency return.