The news comes as the operator attempts to improve rural broadband coverage in the country, as of 2017 only 62 municipal capitals boasted fibre connectivity.
The fibre-optic rollout project is being funded by the National Telecommunications Program for Social Inclusion (Programa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones de Inclusion Social, Prontis).
In addition Entel hopes to deploy around 300 new mobile base transceiver stations (BTS) in rural areas where here IP and cable services are scarcely available.
In addition to broadband IPTV services will also be distributed through the fibre network. Entel’s fibre-to-the-home plans began in 2017. The network was initially extended to Tupiza, Uyuni and Villazón, in the Potosí department.
Along with improved connectivity, the areas also have access to Entel’s convergent offerings, including Internet, IPTV, VoIP and mobile. However, broadband speeds won’t exceed 20Mbps for residential customers and 50Mbps for corporate clients.
According to Entel general manager Oscar Coca, the strategy is set to exceed 250,000 fibre-connected homes before the end of the year.
