For those of you that didn't see this article in Reuters earlier this month Dish Network plans to launch a new satellite that will make it possible to offer video services in Panama.
Peter
MVS wants faster, cheaper telecom services
* Eyes creation of consortium to administrate network
* Japan, Korea cos. interested in project
* Adding new satellite for DISH Mexico growth
* DISH Mexico sees expansion in CentAm (Adds quote, DISH plans, background, byline)
By Cyntia Barrera Diaz
MEXICO CITY, April 5 (Reuters) - Mexican media giant MVS Comunicaciones said on Tuesday it aims to create a new local network that would allow customers to more cheaply and easily access high speed, fourth-generation mobile broadband.
The proposal, which needs approval by Mexico's Finance Ministry and telecom regulator Cofetel, could mean an initial investment of close to $1 billion, Jose Abad, vice president of the company's Internet unit MVS Net, told Reuters on Tuesday.
The plan calls for the creation of a consortium including MVS, wireless operator Clearwire Corp (CLWR.O) and chip maker Intel Corp (INTC.O) that would administer a high speed LTE-based (long term evolution) network.
Abad said Mexican phone operator Alestra is interested in joining the group and that if the project gets approval from authorities, Japan's KDDI (9433.T) and two Korean partners may step in too.
All of them would make an initial investment of $400 million and sell the access to the LTE backbone to third parties.
Companies like broadcaster Televisa (TV.N), TV Azteca TVAZTCACPO.MX, tycoon Carlos Slim's America Movil (AMX.N) or even department stores and consumer goods giants could buy access to the new network to resell them in the way they see fit, Abad said.
Abad estimates third parties could bring in an additional $600 million in investment to promote the new services or open new points of sale.
LTE is at the forefront of mobile network technology that could allow users to download a song in just a few seconds or easily watch live television streaming on a smartphone.
MVS's network proposal is part of its efforts to avoid losing its license to operate coveted the 190 MHz bandwidth in the 2.5 GHz spectrum. About 12 percent of those licenses have expired in recent years, with the rest expiring through 2018.
Rivals have demanded that the government take that capacity from MVS to resell it in the market.
Current networks from large mobile phone companies in Mexico were mostly built to hold simpler phone and data transmission services but the capacity is starting to get clogged after explosive growth over the last decade, particularly from dominant carrier AMerica Movil.
Customers are suffering from saturated networks, making it even hard, and at times impossible, to send or receive text messages on phones.
MVS Comunicaciones boss Joaquin Vargas said his company's proposal has sat in government offices for a long time without getting a clear indication from authorities.
Mexico's finance ministry was expected to determine how much money MVS had to pay in order to keep and continue operating the spectrum it holds. But Vargas said their case has now been turned to telecom watchdog Cofetel.
"We have been submitting proposals for a year," Vargas said. "There is a lack of (clear) telecommunications policies in the country .... The government will have to define if it wants competition or to collect more money."
Government and Cofetel officials were not immediately available for comment.
SATELLITE GROWTH, TOO
MVS Comunicaciones and partner EchoStar Corp (SATS.O) operate the direct-to-home satellite company DISH Mexico, whose 2008 debut shook the sector, prompting rivals like Televisa's SKY to rethink their marketing strategy and cut prices.
DISH Mexico, which has gathered 2.2 million subscribers in just two years of operation, is readying for international expansion in a bid to replicate its success in Mexico. SKY, with close to a decade of operations, had 3 million clients at the end of 2010.
Ernesto Vargas, president of MVS Telecomunicaciones, told Reuters that DISH Mexico's footprint would expand all the way to Panama once the Quetzal 1 satellite is launched by partner SES in August.
The company, which has projected tripling its subscriber base by end-2014, expects to have 16 high defition channels before the new satellite is launched, Ernesto Vargas added. (Reporting by Cyntia Barrera Diaz; Editing by Dave Graham and Richard Chang)
Replies
Note that this is a very old post (2011). Don't get excited about DISH coming.
Yes ... You can get Dish Network USA or Satellite U.S. TV.
There is a company that does this ... just go to http://www.UsaTvSatFromPanama.com ...
Good luck!!
When Dish expands coverage/beams, you can also look into Free-to-Air (FTA) as another option.
Thanks Susan and Pat. Would rather not bother anyone with a box if we can help it. Sounds like it works well though.
Years ago I was waiting at Albrook Airport and visited with a fella from Wisconsin who was on his way to the Pearl Islands. He had his laptop with him. He said he was going to watch his local cable network channels as if he were home. He was using Slingbox. Since then I have not heard anyone talk about Slingbox. They have a website.
Oh, that's different! :) Thanks.
Anything new on DISH in Panama? What is the best way to get American Stations without paying 100.00 a month for TV. We don't watch that much, but would like to have the basics. I could not find a Roko box, or anything closely related to that spelling anywhere in David. What is the exact name? Does it work well here? Do I need to ask someone in the states to bring one to me when they come? Thanks for your help. Judy, I have watched some USATVNOW, but I have an apple and a Samsung TV, so not easy to hook up, from what I understand..
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