global CEO of Millicom, Tigo's parent company, Mauricio Ramos, expressed the interest of the telco and media in continuing operation and long-term investment in El Salvador. The executive, who took the reins of the multinational in 2015, was visiting the country yesterday as part of a tour of Latin America.
El Salvador is one of the seven countries of Latin America where Millicom operates today. "El Salvador is in the heart of what makes Millicom in the region. El Salvador for us is equal to or more important than other markets, "he said. 90% of the company's operations are concentrated in this region.
Ramos explained that some of the innovations that the company is implementing a global scale have begun in the country. An example of this is the recent release of "All You Can App", a plan that allows users to buy prepaid smartphone applications they like for unlimited use for a predefined period of time. "We are innovating as ever. It is a simple but tremendous innovation, "he said.
A few weeks of its release there have been 5,000 sales per day, the CEO of Millicom reported. "This is an innovation in the way Internet consumed worldwide. It is a profound innovation and we are testing in El Salvador. We're looking for a much more customer-friendly mobile data consumption when users are very sensitive to price, "he explained.
Ramos also highlighted the partnership with Netflix, the leading internet television, to offer Salvadorans ability to access innovative content via a high-speed integrated manner.
The innovations that have begun in El Salvador not only have to do with products and services, but also with systems, internal processes and technology infrastructure, said Ramos.
The executive revealed some of the figures Millicom, with almost 25 years of presence in the country, it has achieved to date. As regards telephone customers, the company registers 3 million mobile phone users, a fixed network which covers almost 700,000 households (hybrid fiber and coaxial cable last generation). Of these, 300,000 households are connected to broadband and digital television.
Furthermore, 1 million people use Tigo Money, the platform for financial transactions via cell phones. "Fundamentally it is financial inclusion and mobile payment services, and has been in El Salvador a high degree of success," he said.
Another bet is to serve small and medium enterprises through Tigo Business. In this segment of the economy they will offer mobile voice and data, as well as a strong network that allows them access to "digital highway". According to Ramos, of the 8,000 companies that serve today, a little over 7,000 are SMEs.
For Ramos, Tigo operation in the country represents "investment, tax contribution, labor contribution, contribution to innovation and development of the country and a high degree of commitment to social development".
According to company data, annual investment in the country is approximately $ 350 million; of these, $ 250 million is for the maintenance of Tigo operations and $ 100 million invested in technology, equipment and networks. As for taxes, the company estimated that the country pay about $ 80 million each year.
The company generates 4,500 direct jobs, including payroll and contractors. Its products and services are sold in 25,000 outlets. Finally, Ramos stressed the commitment to the community, especially with the education of children and youth.
"We want to be members of the Salvadoran community, government partners, with a continuous dialogue to be positive agents of change and collaboration," he said. "Millicom is here not only for the next nearly 25 years, but hopefully by these and many more, by a desire to work constructively to solve all the digital challenges of education and building a digital infrastructure for El Salvador to the future" he added.
Millicom believes there is still room to grow in the country, especially in mobile and fixed data