This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 1/9/2020

Overview

Telecommunication201620172018
Total Market Sizen/an/an/a
Total Local Productionn/an/an/a
Total Exports000
Total Imports449494472
Imports from the U.S.677886
 Source:  Transaction database – USD million
HTSUS: 8517, 8518, 8523, 8525, 8527, 8528, 8529, 8543, 8544, 8802, 9001

The U.S. market share of telecommunications equipment rose from 15 percent in 2016 to 18 percent in 2017 (in second place after China’s 57 percent). In 2018, state-owned ANTEL was the largest overall importer of telecommunications equipment with 28 percent of the total, followed by Spain’s Telefonica with nine percent and México’s Claro with five percent.

Uruguay’s landline density is 32 landlines per 100 people (82 percent residential and 18 percent commercial). Cellular density is 159 lines per 100 people and is stable over the last two years. HTSUS 8517 (cellular handsets) make up 56 percent of total telecommunications imports. Three carriers share Uruguay’s market: ANTEL has 53 percent market share; Spain’s Telefonica/Movistar has 32 percent of market share; and, Mexico’s America Movie/CTI/Clara’s 15 percent of the market share. Internet penetration reached a record 88 percent of the population.

The number of mobile clients continues to rise towards near-saturation.  Experts believe growth is still possible through the sale of new services, especially for smartphone users.  Content for teenagers and children continues to show strong growth. All three carriers offer Long Term Evolution (LTE–4G) services. Uruguayan consumers change their handsets on average every 1.5 years.

Web Resources:
U.S. Commercial Service: http://www.export.gov/Uruguay
URSEC – Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicación: http://www.ursec.gub.uy
Embassy Contact: Office.Montevideo@trade.gov

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.