Uruguay telecommunication infrastructure includes access to voice, data, and mobile services with the most modern facilities concentrated mostly in Uruguay's capital city of Montevideo. Overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons qualifying Uruguay a stage four region [2]. Mobile wireless telephony penetration is one of the highest in Latin America passing 100% as of August 2008 and continues to grow also qualifying the country as stage 4 in network readiness [5]. Antel, the country's exclusive, state-owned, local fixed-line operator, competes with other companies in long distance telephony. Through its state-owned mobile subsidiary Ancel, it controls about 40% of the mobile market while two private companies, Movistar and Claro share the remaining market.[1].
Telecommunication Statistics[2],[1]Uruguay has an estimated 498,232 Internet hosts and as of July 2010, approximately 3.5 million people of which 1.6 million [6] use the internet qualifying the country as stage 4[2]. Anteldata, Dedicado, TellMex (CTI Movil), Movistar, and Claro are the main ISPs in Uruguay [1]. Available internet technologies include ADSL, cable modem, wireless broadband, mobile broadband, and satellite broadband. ADSL is the prevalent technology, followed by cable modem [5]. There is no access to the internet via Cable TV companies as of 2008 in its largest cities or capital. However, shopping malls and some commercial business offer WiFi access at their locations and cyber-cafes are very common throughout the country. 3G mobile internet is also offered by all mobile phone companies with rates of up to 3 Mbit/s and is similar to ADSL rates. Mobile Internet service (EDGE and GPRS) is also offered at reduced speeds and is also offered by all mobile phone companies at low flat rates [1].
Internet Affordability (STAGE 3)According latest statistics, Uruguay’s average monthly Internet package price is $23.87 for 256/64 kbit data transfer rate[3]. Antel’s nearest competition, Dedicado, (microwave wireless) offers a similar package that is roughly the same price but does not offer high speed to consumers due to technology limitations [7]. While there are several other options up to 1024, higher bandwidth (over 1 Mbit) connections are available at premium prices for enterprise customers. There are limited statistics describing Uruguay’s median disposable or household income and unavailable complementing statistics describing indicators of lifestyle change or trends toward Internet usage.
Network Speed and Quality (STAGE 4 and STAGE 3)Antel
offers speeds of 1024/128 with up to 10 GB, variable thus qualifying
According to latest statistics, there are 10 Linux and 101 secure Internet servers ranking 51st of 107 using Linux servers and 61st of 183 using secure Internet servers [3]. However, there are no supporting statistics to categorically place Uruguay into a stage for hardware and software specifically competitive retail and wholesale market and availability for both hardware and software. According to one source, Uruguay's software industry currently employs between 3,000 and 5,000 people, and generates annual sales of $245 million, according to government statistics [8]. As metrics are not readily available for Uruguay’s hardware and software availability from reputable sources, this stage is inconclusive.
Service and SupportAs indicated on ISP Service websites, all providers may be contacted by phone or email for customer service but no current metrics are readily available to determine customer ticket or problem resolution timeliness. Per each provider’s website, competitive and sophisticated web design markets exist and do incorporate the latest development technology. However, as current and supporting statistics are unavailable, the stage for Uruguay’s Service and Support is inconclusive.
SourcesContributor: Patrick Goodwin