Vox LTE progress updated; modest user target set

Paraguayan state-run telco Copaco has disclosed details of the development of its mobile subsidiary Vox’s 4G LTE service – launched in December 2012 – with commercial manager Hugo Sosa saying that LTE so far covers around ‘80%’ of the greater Asuncion region, and also has a coverage presence in the cities of Encarnacion, Ciudad del Este and Pilar. In an interview with BNamericas, Sosa added that the operator has invested USD15 million to date in the LTE launch, with a total of 109 4G base stations currently active, while it expects to have 1,500 LTE subscribers within the next six months. A second phase rollout will see LTE coverage extended to other cities such as Pedro Juan Caballero and Concepcion. Sosa confirmed that regulator Conatel has authorised Vox to operate LTE in the 2100MHz/1700MHz band, while rival cellcos have also applied to utilise the band.