Bolivian president Luis Arce Catacora has announced that state telco Entel is preparing to launch 5G technology to coincide with the 15th anniversary of its renationalisation, which is being celebrated this month.
The telco has also disclosed its financial results for 2022. Entel’s net income reached BOB4.561 billion (USD644.1 million) in 2022, up from BOB4.413 million in 2021, while net profit increased from BOB519 million in 2021 to BOB539 million in 2022.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, the Bolivian government issued a decree in May 2008 ordering the renationalisation of the telco. Prior to that Entel was 50.9%-owned by Euro Telecom International (ETI), itself owned by Telecom Italia, via the holding company International Communication Holding (ICH).