Telecommunications market of EcuadorPhone Cards, Calling Cards |
| The Ecuadorian fixed-line market was liberalised in January 2002, but competition is slow to develop, hampered by the dominance of state-owned Andinatel and Pacifictel. Repeated privatisation attempts have failed, and the regulator is looking for a foreign company to take over the management of both operators. Fixed-line teledensity (12.5%) is one of the lowest in South America. This, together with regulatory, technological and competitive developments, combine to make the Ecuadorian telecom industry an attractive financial opportunity for investors. The mobile phone market, for example, increased by 50% to 80% a year during 2001-2004. Growth does not appear to have even slowed down during the recession. In early 2005, mobile penetration was well over double the fixed-line rate. |
| Ecuador Phone Cards |