CNT Begins 5G Base Station Installation in Cuenca as Ecuador Targets Nationwide Coverage by Mid-2026

Ecuador's state-owned telecommunications company CNT has begun installing 5G base stations in Cuenca as part of a nationwide rollout that aims to deploy 422 base stations across the country by mid-2026.

The network, built in partnership with Nokia, operates on the 3.5 GHz band and promises speeds up to 1.5 Gbps — roughly 10-20 times faster than the 4G LTE connections most Cuenca residents currently use.

Rollout Timeline

CNT launched commercial 5G service in October 2025, starting with Quito and Guayaquil. The second phase, now underway, expands coverage to:

• Cuenca
• Ambato
• Manta
• Santo Domingo

These four cities are expected to have operational 5G coverage within three months of installation beginning, placing Cuenca's go-live date around April-May 2026.

What 5G Means in Practice

For most users, the immediate benefit is dramatically faster mobile data speeds and lower latency. CNT's 5G network promises:

• Download speeds up to 1.5 Gbps (vs. typical 4G speeds of 30-80 Mbps in Cuenca)
• Latency under 10 milliseconds
• Greater capacity for connected devices in high-density areas

However, coverage will initially be limited to urban zones near base stations. Rural areas and outlying parishes are not included in the first deployment phase.

The Bigger Picture

The rollout is part of the Noboa administration's national digitalisation policy, which treats broadband expansion as economic infrastructure. Ecuador has historically lagged behind regional peers in internet quality — the country ranked 96th globally in Speedtest's 2024 mobile internet rankings.

Private carriers Claro and Movistar have not yet announced their own 5G timelines for Ecuador, meaning CNT will have a first-mover monopoly on the technology.

What This Means for Expats

Internet quality consistently ranks among the top concerns for the estimated 8,000-10,000 expats in the Cuenca area, particularly those who work remotely or run online businesses.

• Remote workers can expect meaningful speed improvements once 5G coverage is live — though it won't replace home fibre connections immediately
• New 5G-compatible devices will be required — phones older than 2-3 years may not support the 3.5 GHz band
• Pricing has not been announced for 5G plans, but CNT's current unlimited 4G plans range from $25-$45/month
• Fixed wireless 5G (as a home internet alternative) has not been confirmed, but could eventually provide competition to fibre providers like Netlife

For now, the installation is a promising signal that Ecuador's digital infrastructure is catching up. Cuenca expats who rely on CNT mobile data should see tangible improvements by mid-year.

Sources: BNamericas, Nokia, CuencaHighLife