Claro, Altice Group to invest US$400mn in Dominican Republic

The three big telcos operating in the Dominican Republic have announced investments of more than 18.2bn pesos (US$400mn) for 2016, Dominican telecommunications regulator Indotel reported on its website.

Altice Group, which operates Orange and Tricom, has just announced investments of 6.2bn pesos for infrastructure, to improve services and expand the two companies, while Claro plans to invest over 12bn in 2016.

Indotel also says that there could be sales of transfers of companies within the sector, as well as the arrival of new companies to the country telecoms industry.

In an effort to reduce the digital divide and improve services nationwide, the Dominican government is planning to expand telecommunications services to areas that are not yet served. One such investment of 234mn pesos has kick-started a broadband connectivity project (Conectividad de Banda Ancha), which will focus on 200 locations with precarious infrastructure.

Indotel also plans to launch the connected homes (Hogares Conectados) project, which will bring internet connections to 10,000 households. The project is intended to expand broadband coverage to all municipalities and 80% of the population.

Back in September 2014, the World bank approved a US$30mn loan for this project, but the credit has not been taken up as yet for unknown reasons, according to Indotel.

***

UPCOMING BNAMERICAS EVENTS

4TH Mexico Electric Power Summit

Click here to see the agenda and speakers

5TH Mexico Infrastructure Summit

Click here to see the agenda and speakers

4TH Mexico Oil&Gas Summit

Click here to see the agenda and speakers