Over the last two decades, Colombian telecom market leader Claro has built the largest and most robust infrastructure network in the country. After years of synergies and specific sharing agreements with other MNOs, the company has launched Claro Share, a service that will facilitate access to the telco’s 8,500 sites to competitors, government bodies and other enterprises. TowerXchange caught up with Isam Hauchar, who is responsible for all the commercial aspects of the new subsidiary, to understand the drivers and goals of this revolutionary decision.
TowerXchange: Claro has just launched Claro Share, an initiative to share access to more than 8,500 sites across Colombia. Could you please share the details and objectives of this decision and how is the industry receiving it?
’Isam Hauchar, Corporate Director, Enterprises & Business, Claro Colombia: Effectively, we just launched Claro Share, a new infrastructure sharing service across more than 8,500 sites that the company has developed over the last 20 years in the country. The goal of this initiative is that other telecom enterprises, as well as integrators, mining and energy companies and government bodies can use our infrastructure for their different business objectives, covering their coverage needs while driving their growth strategies and connectivity services, which are critical now for this country. The strategic location of these sites, spread across Colombia’s 32 departments, is creating great interest and we have already engaged in commercial conversations with the other MNOs.
Moreover, we are working with an analysis and technology service provider linked with the mining industry. We provide them the land and space on the tower to build their equipment, which allows them to collect information that they send to their clients. In this specific case, we only offer the space in the tower, but in many other sites we can also bring the signal, offering connectivity to Claro Share’s clients.
As mentioned, there is a great interest from the other MNOs, as after last year’s spectrum auction, we are all exploring all the different network expansion options to meet the ambitious coverage obligations derived from the process.
TowerXchange: Over the last few years, many MNOs have decided to launch similar initiatives and Am’rica M’vil even decided to create Telesites as an independent entity to offer a similar service in Mexico. Why you haven’t done the same in Colombia and what are the main differences between Telesites and Claro Share?
’Isam Hauchar, Corporate Director, Enterprises & Business, Claro Colombia: In Mexico they decided to create an independent entity, but in this case, Claro Colombia decided this was the best option from a strategic point of view. We own our infrastructure and with Claro Share, we increase the options for other companies to access that infrastructure at a time when connectivity is crucial. For third parties, the decision and the benefits are very similar.
Over the years, we have done several exchanges and sharing agreements with other operators, but through Claro Share we have decided to formalise the process of renting and optimising our assets.
TowerXchange: What are the main benefits of the initiative for both Claro and the industry?
Isam Hauchar, Corporate Director, Enterprises & Business, Claro Colombia: Claro has consolidated the largest and most completed infrastructure network in the country thanks to its investment efforts over the years. We believe that connectivity is a driver of equity and we should connect the disconnected, therefore our towers cover 1,119 municipalities across 32 departments.
The industry benefits by accessing that signal, as well as using the space on our sites to install their own technology solutions and use those connectivity services.
Currently there is an increasing need for connectivity and therefore, this new service will allow companies to access that infrastructure without investing time and resources for acquisition, minimising the permitting process, reducing time to market and being able to cover a huge part of the population thanks to these strategic locations.
TowerXchange: After December’s spectrum auction, all MNOs have started an aggressive rollout. Could you talk about Claro’s network expansion?
’Isam Hauchar, Corporate Director, Enterprises & Business, Claro Colombia: We have expanded very quickly on the 4G and 4.5G technology rollout in Colombia. Recently we have covered 1,067 municipalities with 4G, a key milestone as we are now reaching 99% of the country’s municipal heads
Following the auction, where we have decisively invested, we will connect 1,348 localities in the most remote locations that don’t have connectivity in the next five years. 280 towns across the departments of Amazonas, Arauca, Bol’var, Boyac’, Caquet’, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choc’, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Nari?o, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca y Vaup’s will be covered in the first year.
We won’t need 1,348 towers but it will be a considerable deployment of greenfield sites. Further, we will also be deploying urban typologies across the country’s biggest cities on the 700 MHz band.
’TowerXchange: Apart from this decision, what are your rollout plans for the upcoming months and what will be your relationship with towercos in the future?
Isam Hauchar, Corporate Director, Enterprises & Business, Claro Colombia: We will continue investing in the country. As I stated, we will reach 1,348 new localities in the next five years. And with Claro Share, we are also providing options for other business to provide connectivity and other services without investing in infrastructure as many of our sites are located in place where only Claro has a presence at the moment.
We do have plenty of contracts with towercos in place and we will continue working with them when needed. We prefer not to build a site if a towerco can provide service on a specific point.
TowerXchange: What are the main challenges that you are facing on your 8,500 sites?
’Isam Hauchar, Corporate Director, Enterprises & Business, Claro Colombia: We are in many remote places and one of the biggest challenges there is securing out infrastructure. Energy is another critical challenge. With this service, we will continue exploring the different energy supply options and we can also collaborate with towercos on that front.
