Building on CNT’s existing 4G infrastructure, the new 5G deployment includes 188 sites across Guayaquil—Ecuador’s largest city—and neighbouring areas including Samborondón, Daule, Durán, Manta, Portoviejo, Salinas, and Santa Elena. Operating on the N78 (3.5 GHz) frequency band, the network is expected to provide stronger coverage and greater capacity for both consumers and businesses.
The project, developed in coordination with the Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society, supports Ecuador’s national digital transformation policy. It aims to deliver nationwide 5G access by mid-2026, enabling a more inclusive and sustainable digital society.
“This is a landmark moment in Ecuador’s technology history,” said Ronald Spina, General Manager of CNT E.P. “Our new 5G mobile network will offer faster, more stable and secure connectivity across the country without raising our commercial prices. Beyond telecommunications, we’ll build on Nokia’s advanced solutions to benefit strategic sectors such as health, education, manufacturing, agriculture and transport, through data- and AI-driven solutions that improve quality of service for more Ecuadorians.”
Nokia’s AirScale Technology at the Core
To deliver the network, Nokia is supplying equipment from its AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) portfolio, recognised for high performance and energy efficiency. The deployment features Massive MIMO radios, baseband units, remote radio heads (RRH), and a compact all-in-one cabinet solution designed to reduce power consumption and environmental impact.
Nokia’s technology is powered by its ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC), offering maximum reliability and energy efficiency—key to managing Ecuador’s increasing data traffic. CNT will also utilise MantaRay NM, Nokia’s AI-powered intelligent network management system, which provides a consolidated view of the network’s operations and performance in real time.
Strengthening Broadband with IP and Optical Integration
As part of the collaboration, Nokia will integrate its IP routing and optical transport solutions into CNT’s 5G infrastructure. This enhancement ensures seamless data transmission across wireless networks, reducing latency and packet loss for more consistent connectivity.
The backbone of this system is Nokia’s Network Services Platform (NSP), an open and modular automation framework that simplifies network operations. The technology is designed to support mission-critical applications such as emergency communications, smart cities, and industrial IoT systems, enabling Ecuador to benefit from next-generation digital services.
“Our long-standing partnership with CNT E.P., providing solutions across mobile radio access, IP and optical and fixed networks, is a source of pride for Nokia,” said Bruno Leite, Head of Mobile Networks, Latin America, Nokia. “We are confident this latest collaboration on the 5G launch based on our comprehensive Radio Access Networks solutions will significantly modernize CNT’s broadband and support its commitment to build a more innovative, competitive and connected nation.”
Driving Economic and Social Innovation
The launch of 5G is expected to accelerate Ecuador’s digital economy, enhancing productivity across multiple industries. Sectors such as telemedicine, virtual education, and smart manufacturing stand to benefit immediately, while innovations in agriculture, transport, and urban infrastructure will follow as adoption widens.
The enhanced speed and low latency of the network also open the door to Internet of Things (IoT) solutions—enabling smarter logistics, energy management, and public safety systems. By providing the foundation for digital transformation, the initiative positions Ecuador among the early adopters of 5G in Latin America.
Nokia’s Global Vision for Innovation
Nokia emphasised that Ecuador’s 5G launch reflects its broader global mission to create technology that connects and empowers societies.
“At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.”
As a B2B technology innovation leader, Nokia continues to pioneer networks that sense, think, and act, integrating intelligence across mobile, fixed, and cloud-based systems.
“As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.”
Nokia’s strategy focuses on open, high-performance network architectures that enable scalability and monetization opportunities for operators and enterprises.
“With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.”
A Milestone for Ecuador’s Digital Future
The rollout of Ecuador’s first 5G network marks a defining moment for the nation’s connectivity and competitiveness. It underscores the government’s and CNT’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and advancing sustainable development through technology.
With expansion expected to continue through 2026, the partnership between Nokia and CNT will play a pivotal role in driving Ecuador’s digital inclusion, supporting innovation, and strengthening its position in the global digital economy.
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