So far this year, interest in opinion programs in the region's markets has clearly picked up, with Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador recording the largest increases in interactions associated with the topic.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In Guatemala, a legislative project prohibiting cuts in water, electricity, cable TV, telephone and Internet services during the state of calamity, which was decreed by the outbreak of covid-19 in the country, was published.
After multiple struggles, Decree 15-2020 was published on May 21 in the Diario de Centroamérica, which was approved by the deputies and then vetoed by President Alejandro Giammattei.
As of April 27, 2020, the analog television signal will cease to operate in the country, which is why the channels must broadcast their content in digital format.
Representatives of the National Telecoms Commission (Conatel) urged the television channels that transmit their signal in the country to make their technical adjustments and test digital transmission before the announced date.
From October 1, 2020, the analog television signal will cease to function in the provinces of Panama, Panama West and Colon, to switch to the digital signal.
Starts analog power off countdown for open TV signal. On October 1, 2020, the Digital Terrestrial Television open signal enters into force in Phase I in the provinces of Panama, Colon and West Panama, informed the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP).
In Guatemala, the rights for the transmission and reproduction of sports events of the national teams of the National Football Federation, in all its categories and modalities, are tendered.
According to the rules of the contest, the rights that comprise the transmissions by open television, cable television, and radio, produced and transmitted within the national territory.
In El Salvador, the state-owned Canal 10 began broadcasting the open digital signal, and in the next three years it should be implemented by private television stations.
The General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (Siget) reported that the change from analog and satellite transmissions to a digital signal is progressing successfully, as several private providers have conducted successful transmission tests.
In Panama, improvements to the national terrestrial television network are being tendered, which includes the fulfillment of Phase III and IV of DTT at the national level.
Panama Government Purchase 2018-1-31-0-99-LP-007712:
"Supply, integration, installation, training, transportation to site, commissioning, and technical support of three (3) digital TV transmission systems consisting of:
With a $1.460 million investment, Millicom International Celular completed the acquisition of 80% of the capital of Cable Onda, one of the country's telephone, Internet and cable TV operators.
Cable Onda announced in a press release that following an extensive conversation process, Cable Onda S.A. and Millicom International Cellular S.A. have established a strategic alliance in which Millicom assumes an important ownership of Cable Onda as well as the business management. The agreement includes Telecarrier and Fronteras Securtity.
With a $250 million investment, Liberty Latin America completed the acquisition of 80% of the capital of Cabletica, one of the country's leading cable operators.
Liberty Latin America operates in Chile, Panama and the Caribbean, and with the purchase of Televisora de Costa Rica S.A. will access the Costa Rican market through this cable operator that has more than 327 thousand subscribers.
In 2017, countries in the region imported $198 million worth of televisions from Mexico, and 57% were purchased by companies in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Figures from the information system "Trade between Central America and Mexico", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
The Superintendency of Competition has ruled that conditions be set on the acquisition of the companies Caribeña and Caribeña Cable de El Salvador by Telemóvil El Salvador.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Competition:
In order to prevent possible effects contrary to sound competition in the markets, theBoard of Directors of the Superintendency of Competitiondecided to condition the acquisition of the portfolio of clients subscribed to TV and internet services and telecommunications services and of the assets of the companies Caribeña S.A. de C.V. and Caribeña Cable de El Salvador S.A. de C.V. by Telemóvil El Salvador, S.A. de C.V.
The state run telecommunications company has announced it will be investing $100 million in internet infrastructure to offer broadband and fiber optics services.
The general manager of the Honduran Telecommunications Company (Hondutel), Jesus Mejia, said in remarks published by Latribuna.hn that they will be investing approximately $100 million, about 2,200 million lempiras to increase supply in two market segments.
The Superintendency of Telecommunications (Sutel) did not authorize the merger between Tigo and Telecable, without disclosing in detail the reasons for this decision.
The Superintendency of Telecommunications (Sutel) did not authorize the merger between Tigo and Telecable, without disclosing in detail the reasons for this decision.
The Superintendency of Telecommunications (Sutel) has ruled against the merger which the the two companies intended to undergo. An article in Nacion.com reports that Norman Chaves, Corporate Affairs Manager of Tigo, said that "... the risk posed by the alliance between the two companies affecting competition in some sectors of the country was questioned." He added that "... We will review the decision of the Sutel and follow proper administrative channels to continue this process. We firmly believe that this integration would benefit consumers, and industry and contribute to bridge the digital divide in Costa Rica. "
A Bill proposes that companies using electricity distribution poles pay municipalities a fee equivalent to 10% of their earnings.
The proposal presented by Deputy Jorge Rodriguez not only includes telecommunications companies, but also any natural or legal person who owns the posts. This proposal also prohibits the new rental fee for the poles being transferred to the final consumer.
More choice and diversity in programming characterize a market where, of the 15 licenses granted, eight are in operation three are 'Preparing for Entry' and four have stopped operating.
According to statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of the Comptroller General of the Republic, there are currently 919,000 TV users, of which 46% watch cable TV, ie there are 423,000 households with cable TV service.