Claro and Tigo activate 5G in Colombia

Operators Claro and Tigo activated their 5G networks in Colombia, with the former covering six cities and the latter 12.

Movistar recently announced the start of 5G deployment after its joint bid with Tigo in December was awarded 80MHz in the 3500MHz band for 318bn pesos (US$80.8mn).

The company plans to have 5G up and running in the coming weeks.

Claro paid 411bn pesos for 80MHz in the 3500MHz band, while WOM won another 80MHz block for 318bn pesos. The fourth went to Telecall, also for 318bn pesos.

CLARO

The company is developing a non-standalone network with a 4G core with more than 1,000 active sites, Néstor Bergero, corporate director of technology, said at a press conference in response to a question by BNamericas.

Claro hopes to cover between 40% and 50% of the traffic with 5G. The company uses technology from Nokia and will add 20 cities in the coming months.

Currently, it offers 5G in Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Bucaramanga.

As part of the spectrum acquisition, Claro committed to invest 568bn pesos in coverage and pay into the universal ICT fund.

To use 5G, customers must have a postpaid plan. Claro claimed that 18% of its customer base owns a 5G compatible device.

TIGO

According to an announcement on social media, Tigo’s 5G is available in Medellín, Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cartagena de Indias, Valledupar, Montería, Santa Marta, Villavicencio, San José de Cúcuta, Bucaramanga, Ibagué and Cali.

The company also plans a progressive expansion to other areas.

Tigo has an agreement with Movistar to create a mobile access infrastructure company that will make network management more efficient and serve as a vehicle for the deployment of new mobile technologies.

Une EPM, the parent of Tigo, recently approved the agreement. After having jointly purchased 5G spectrum, it is expected that the companies advance with the integration of their infrastructure this year.