Tigo Panama, a telecommunications company offering mobile, internet, and TV services, has undergone several transformations over the years. Initially, the company operated under the BellSouth brand until 2005, when it was acquired by the Spanish telecom giant Telefónica and rebranded as Movistar. This brand continued until 2019, when Telefónica sold its operations in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua to Millicom International Cellular. Consequently, the Movistar brand in Panama was replaced by Tigo, with the official launch of the Tigo brand occurring on August 1, 2020. As of June 30, 2022, Tigo Panama was fully acquired by Millicom International Cellular, solidifying its presence in the Panamanian telecommunications market.
Country
Panama
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
Millicom International
Tigo Logo

3G Network

The 3G network in Panama was initially launched under the Movistar brand in December 2008. Movistar began offering 3G services with HSPA+ technology, which provided speeds up to 21 Mbps on the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequency bands. This network was part of a broader rollout across Central America, enhancing mobile internet connectivity.

Network Frequency Band Status
B2 (1900 MHz)
Active
B5 (850 MHz)
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

The 4G LTE network in Panama was launched in March 2015, initially under the Movistar brand, and later continued under Tigo after the rebranding in 2020. The 4G network utilised the 700 MHz (Band 28) and 1900 MHz (Band 2) frequencies, providing enhanced mobile broadband services. Tigo Panama invested significantly in expanding its 4G network, covering 95% of the population by 2023. The network also supported LTE-Advanced technologies with carrier aggregation capabilities, allowing for higher data speeds and improved network performance. Tigo Panama pledged to invest US$100 million in 2023 to further modernise and expand its 4G network infrastructure, aiming to close coverage gaps and prepare for future 5G deployments.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Status Known EARFCNs
B2 (1900 MHz)
Active
1050
B4 (1700 MHz)
Active
2175
B28 (700 MHz)
Active
9410
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

Panama entered the 5G era with pilot tests conducted by Más Móvil, a brand of Cable & Wireless Panamá, in the 3.5 GHz band. Although Tigo Panama had not yet launched a commercial 5G service by 2024, it was actively preparing for the transition. The company planned to invest around $750 million through 2025 in mobile and fixed network infrastructure, including spectrum allocation for 5G services. Tigo Panama's LTE network was already equipped to support 5G capabilities, and the company was gearing up for 5G services by deploying new mobile networks with 5G capabilities in regions such as Guna Yala. The regulatory body ASEP was expected to allocate additional spectrum for 5G by the end of 2024, providing further opportunities for Tigo Panama to expand its 5G offerings.

Date Event Subtype