El Salvador, though a relatively small and niche market, is highly stable and denominated in U.S. currency, making it attractive to tower companies and international investors.
In a landmark move, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as an official currency in 2021, signalling its commitment to digital innovation and investment. The current government is actively promoting further digitalisation initiatives.
In early 2022, El Salvador’s competition agency approved the sale of Telefónica’s operations to General International Telecoms, averting market consolidation and maintaining competition among four active mobile network operators: Tigo, Digicel, Movistar, and Claro. Both Digicel and Tigo have previously sold towers in El Salvador, with Digicel selling over 200 sites to Phoenix Tower International in 2017, and Tigo selling around 800 sites to SBA Communications in 2018.
El Salvador - telecom market statistics Q3 2024
América Móvil has consolidated its presence through Sites, which operates nearly 1,200 sites in El Salvador alongside SBA Communications, Phoenix Tower International, and Torrecom. In December 2022, El Salvador’s regulator SIGET launched a public tender for mobile spectrum in the
1755MHz-1770MHz/2155MHz-2170MHz frequency range, responding to Telefonica’s (Movistar) request. Movistar has commenced the deployment of its 5G-ready mobile network in September 2022, with plans to invest approximately USD 280 million to cover over 95% of the population by 2023.
El Salvador- estimated tower ownership Q3 2024
