Argentina Information and Telecommunications Technology

Argentina has a well-educated and tech savvy population, home to 11 of the 34 unicorns in Latin America.  The ICT market is a mature sector, with one of the highest broadband penetration rates in the region, where major communications networks are digital but still with limited competition for broadband and mobile telephone services. 

A major challenge is the need to connect an unequally distributed population in distant, remote, and low-density areas where satellite services may have opportunities.  According to the local telecommunications regulator, ENACOM, other challenges include completion of the replacement of copper cables with fiber and the roll out of 5G services while completing 4G deployment. 

ICT Opportunities

In the telecommunications sector under the plan “Conectar 2023,” there are additional opportunities for U.S. exports.  This national project was designed by the Government of Argentina to provide universal access to broadband services and also to close the digital divide under four programs: 

1)    Construction of Satellite ARSAT SG1, the third communications satellite:  Opportunities for transponders, antennae components, solar cell battery back-ups, and related equipment.

2)    Enlargement of the national fiber optic network:  Opportunities for equipment upgrades to multiply broadband capacity by a factor of 10 with 4,408 km of fiber optic lines. 

3)    National telecommunications company ARSAT is upgrading its datacenter:  Opportunities to supply servers, storage, networks, software, and new support infrastructure at the data center to increase reliability, as well as cybersecurity training and implementation.

4)    Open digital terrestrial television: Opportunities for new equipment DTT stations; transmission platform to provide higher resolution; and equipment upgrades to eliminate service interruptions.

Status of 5G

While there is no confirmed date for the spectrum auction to provide 5G services, once it is launched, this will present opportunities for U.S. companies that provide solutions on sectors such as the Internet of Things (IoT)/artificial intelligence (AI) for specific vertical industries such as automotive, energy, and metal-mechanic; as well as smart cities and e-government.

For additional information on the sector, and for assistance in finding a local partner in Argentina, please contact ICT Specialist Marina Millet