Tigo Paraguay, the commercial brand of Telefónica Celular del Paraguay S.A. (Telecel), is a leading telecommunications provider in Paraguay. Owned by Millicom International Cellular, Tigo has played a significant role in the development of the telecommunications infrastructure in the country. The company was originally known as Telecel before rebranding to Tigo. Under the leadership of Mario López Estrada, Tigo expanded its operations to Paraguay in 2012, marking a milestone in the local telecommunications industry. Tigo has consistently been a market leader, with a market share of over 40% as of 2018. The company has been at the forefront of introducing advanced telecommunications technologies in Paraguay, including 3G, 4G, and preparations for 5G networks.
Country
Paraguay
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
Millicom International
Tigo Logo

3G Network

Tigo Paraguay began testing its 3G network in July 2007, with the infrastructure provided by the Chinese manufacturer Huawei. The company officially launched its 3G services in September 2008, offering enhanced mobile broadband services to its customers. The introduction of 3G technology allowed Tigo to offer faster internet speeds and improved connectivity, solidifying its position as a leader in the Paraguayan mobile market. As of December 2024, Tigo had not announced any plans to shut down its 3G network, although the focus has shifted towards expanding 4G and preparing for 5G technologies.

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

4G Network

Tigo Paraguay launched its 4G LTE network in April 2016, using the AWS spectrum. The launch was a significant step in providing high-speed internet access and improved mobile services to its customers. In December 2015, Paraguay's National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) approved Tigo's application for a 4G license, which included a payment of USD 45 million for three sub-band blocks. By 2020, Tigo had invested USD 100 million to expand its LTE coverage to 66% of the Paraguayan population. The 4G network has been continuously upgraded to meet the increasing demand for mobile data services, with Tigo receiving awards for 4G availability and coverage experience.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status Known EARFCNs
B2 (1900 MHz)
Active
1150
B4 (1700 MHz)
15
Active
2325
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

As of 2024, Tigo Paraguay had not yet launched commercial 5G services. However, the company had begun preparing for the introduction of 5G technology by conducting tests and upgrading its network infrastructure. In 2021, Tigo and Claro pledged a combined investment of USD 47 million in network upgrades as part of the renewal of their 4G licenses, which also included preparations for 5G deployment.

Date Event Subtype