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LTE arrives in Colombia, stays for the coffee

Zachary Lutz
Updated ·5 min read

Citizens of Colombia have yet another reason to be proud this week, as LTE connectivity is now part of the nation's infrastructure. State-owned telecom UNE EPM has officially flipped the 4G switch for Bogota and Medelin, and plans to bring similar LTE services to residents of Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Bucaramanga in the near future. If all goes well, UNE EPM hopes to provide LTE coverage for 90% of Colombia's population by year's end. The carrier is now offering both 6GB and 12GB data packages to its post-paid subscribers starting at $89,900 COP ($50 USD) per month, which include data caps of 10Mbps. Meanwhile, prepaid users may choose between 1.2GB, 4GB and 8GB of data usage. Full PR follows the break, though you'll have to excuse the computer translation.

[Thanks, Paul]

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Came megavelocidad: UNE launches mobile broadband 4G ® EVOLUTION

· UNE is located at the forefront of Latin America being the first company to put into operation a commercial network of 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution).
· The service will cover December 2012 to 90% of the population.
· The GSA (Global Mobile Suppliers Association) said that LTE is a mobile system with the fastest development in the history of mobile communications in the world.

(Bulletin No. 48, Bogota, June 14, 2012) Starting today, users of telecommunications in Colombia can only access the 4G LTE network in the country, to connect more rapidly to the Web, be connected continuous movement, less delay in the transfer of your data and download higher quality content, surpassing the characteristics of the 3G network.

These are some of the benefits of mobile broadband, 4G LTE (4G ® Evolution), which began offering UNE in Bogota and Medellin and will be extended to other cities like Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Bucaramanga, in the second half of this year.

With an investment of $ 130 million, UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones hopes to capture between 120,000 and 180,000 users connecting to the 4G megavelocidad ® Evolution during 2012.

For the president of UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones, Marc Perret Eichmann, "it was time to offer Colombians technology far more advanced in the world. 4G LTE or 4G ® Evolution contribute to the development of the country, putting it at the forefront of telecommunications infrastructure in the region and is prepared UNE commercial, technical and operationally to do so, with the support of international stature providers to market with true mobile broadband."

UNE won the auction of 2.5 GHz spectrum, conducted by the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications MinTic in 2010. In September 2011, following receipt of the spectrum by the Ministry, began the bidding process for the assembly of the network, which was awarded to leading technology companies Huawei and Ericsson. In the month of December began the deployment of the network to install the first test antenna. Three months later with 80% coverage in the cities of Medellin and Bogota, began service tests with different users sensitive to the use of new technologies.

The technology partners

The firm Huawei Technologies expressed satisfaction with the work with UNE for the installation of a phase of ® Evolution 4G network: "With the launch of the first commercial LTE network in Colombia, we highlight the UNE leadership by providing networking mobile art in the country, providing a new experience of mobile broadband Internet. Huawei, a global leader in the deployment of LTE networks and network technology partner of UNE, reiterates its commitment to continue contributing to cutting edge solutions for the implementation of new technologies in Colombia, "said Lu Qi, general manager of Huawei Technologies Colombia.

Meanwhile, Sergio Quiroga, president of Ericsson in Latin America and the Caribbean, responsible for assembling another phase of LTE for UNE said: "This launch reaffirms Ericsson's leadership in LTE and further extends our longstanding relationship with UNE. The new LTE network from Ericsson will enable UNE offer unique experiences to individuals and businesses in pursuit of achieving a connected society, thus contributing to the major objectives set by the Colombian government aimed at closing the digital divide and increase Internet penetration."

We started the ® Evolution

UNE offers 4G ® Evolution are designed to meet the needs of all users. In addition to speed, low delay and quality of service offered to individuals and households, 4G ® Evolution constitutes a technology solution that helps improve productivity and communication of large firms and MSMEs. Now you can connect in real time with employees, customers and suppliers from anywhere, become mobile offices and have connections faster, safer and smoother.

UNE's offer postpaid and prepaid plans include the ability of elected gigas and a top speed of 10 megabytes.

Postpaid Plans:
The users will have 6GB and 12GB of capacity, the option to package with other services and UNE rate from $ 89,900.

Prepaid plans:
The user pays the modem, choose the discharge capacity that best suits your needs - 1.2GB / 4GB / 8GB / - and can continue with 500MB refills. Recharges for new postpaid and prepaid plans, the user must connect to the portal or you can make www.une.com.co through Conexred (GANA), and Point Provar Pay.

During the launch phase, customers 4G ® Evolution, enjoy double the capacity until October 31, 2012, both prepaid and postpaid plans.

The new 4G service ® ​​Evolution can be purchased through the Customer Care Line 01 8000 41 01 41, UNE commercial stands, the customer service offices and authorized dealer network.