en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 16, 2026, during the event "Invisible but Indispensable: Connecting the Future of Ecuador" held in Quito, the Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society (Ministerio de Telecomunicaciones y de la Sociedad de la Información, Mintel) announced that as of July 2026, the country had deployed 513 5G wireless base stations (radiobases 5G). This figure represents a significant increase from the 233 base stations recorded at the end of 2025, marking notable progress in Ecuador's construction of fifth-generation mobile communication network infrastructure.

The Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society (Mintel) is the government authority responsible for formulating and implementing national strategies for telecommunications, information technology, and digital transformation in Ecuador. In recent years, the Ecuadorian government has continuously promoted its national digital transformation strategy, positioning 5G network deployment as key infrastructure to enhance national competitiveness, drive digital economic development, and bridge the digital divide. The deployment of 513 5G base stations indicates that the country has moved from the initial commercial launch phase of 5G into an accelerated coverage period.

Meanwhile, Mintel also released coverage data for the 4G network. Currently, a total of 14,204 4G base stations are operational across Ecuador, providing mobile communication services to approximately 15.2 million residents, with 4G network population coverage reaching a relatively high level. In terms of fixed broadband and home internet, data shows that 71.3% of Ecuadorian households have internet access, laying a solid foundation for the widespread adoption of digital services.

During the event, government authorities, industry representatives, scholars, and experts jointly analyzed Ecuador's connectivity status and challenges. Mintel stated that the Ecuadorian government will continue to take actions to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure and expand access to connectivity services nationwide. As a key component of the country's telecommunications infrastructure modernization, the accelerated deployment of 5G networks will drive the development of application scenarios such as the Industrial Internet of Things and smart cities, providing new support for Ecuador's digital transformation and economic growth.