en.Wedoany.com Reported - Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) has reached a new agreement with the country's four major mobile operators to provide 4G voice and data services to 412 rural communities for the first time. The total investment in this project exceeds 182 million Peruvian soles, and it is expected to benefit over 66,000 residents.

The signatories include América Móvil (Claro Perú), Entel, Integratel, and Bitel. The agreement was signed under the Coverage Royalty Mechanism and the Special Payment System for Commercial Development Rates, two tools that allow operators to redirect part of their economic obligations toward building telecommunications infrastructure in poorly connected areas.

The MTC revealed that these communities were selected by the operators after expressing their intention to use the aforementioned mechanisms. It is expected that all 412 communities will gain access to 4G mobile services by June 2027, thereby expanding connectivity in areas such as communication, online education, health services, e-commerce, and financial inclusion.

To accelerate rural connectivity, the Coverage Royalty Mechanism allows operators to invest up to 60% of their radio spectrum usage fees into rural mobile infrastructure, replacing part of their economic obligations with network expansion projects. According to the MTC, since the implementation of this mechanism, it has helped over 296,000 residents in 1,531 rural areas gain access to 4G mobile services for the first time.

As part of this plan, Claro Perú has committed to continuing the expansion of its mobile network. The company reported that between 2018 and 2025, under the Coverage Royalty Mechanism, it installed 388 wireless base stations in more than 2,400 locations across Peru, providing mobile services to over 493,000 people. The operator stated that it will maintain its investment strategy in telecommunications infrastructure to expand coverage and help bridge the digital divide in Peru.