Argentina roundup: Fiber deployment in La Pampa, satellite connectivity in San Juan and more

Fiber optic deployment

La Pampa telecom operator Empatel aims to extend by more than 430km its backbone fiber optics and continue to develop its fiber to the home network to four more towns. 

The extension of the backbone network is intended to reach Villa Mirasol, Santa Isabel, Anchorena, Adolfo Van Praet, Hilario Lagos, Sarah, Rolón, La Adela, Chacharramendi and La Reforma, the company said in December. 

Currently, the works in Villa Mirasol (14.8km of backbone network), Adolfo Van Praet, Lagos and Sarah (85km) have been completed and work is underway to reach Santa Isabel (135km) and Tomás Anchorena (14km).

As of December, Empatel had completed its first connectivity plan, including connection to 22 localities, with 17 fiber to the home networks and five backbone networks. 

School connectivity

San Juan province telco San Juan Innova installed satellite kits in 14 schools in Calingasta, Jáchal, Iglesia and Valle Fértil. 

San Juan Innova is partnering with Orbith and Starlink for school connectivity. 

Service restored

San Luis province announced it restored service of more than 100 Wi-Fi antennas affected by a storm on Monday. 

The fiber optic service San Luis a Mil was restored in most of the south of provincial capital San Luis and in the Mirador del Portezuelo, Néstor Kirchner, Padre Mujica and 500 Viviendas Sur neighborhoods. 

Due to the storm, fiber optics were cut in the west and south of the city. Other localities have also suffered service cuts.

New broadband player

The electric cooperative in the city of Gualeguaychú in Entre Ríos province will start providing services this year after completing a fiber rollout. 

Its fiber optic ring covers 5,000 users. Today the cooperative has approximately 47,000 electric users, and 2,000 are under a remote reading system.

The cooperative is also working with Uruguay’s Antel to reach a new international connection.