Argentina and Paraguay are making progress in fiber optic connectivity

Press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina

Tuesday 6 December 2022

Information for the Press N°: 661/22

This is an automated translation of the original press release issued in Spanish

Within the framework of the Summit of MERCOSUR Presidents that is being held today in the city of Montevideo, the Republic of Argentina and the Republic of Paraguay -through a project signed by Foreign Ministers Santiago Cafiero and his counterpart, Julio César Arriola Ramírez- achieved a concrete and significant advance in the strengthening of the connectivity between both countries, after intense bilateral negotiations.

Thus, the "Strengthening of Connectivity" project is the necessary framework for the state companies involved in the negotiation (Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones SA -COPACO- and ARSAT) to define a connectivity contract and specify the interconnection of fiber networks perspective of both countries.

In addition, ARSAT intends to reach a comprehensive agreement with COPACO, to develop joint business opportunities, not only in fiber optics, but also in relation to satellite services, data storage in the cloud, Digital TV and transmission of know-how in matter of digital solutions. This interconnection was scheduled for last November, beginning with the Clorinda-Puerto Falcón node, followed by Posadas-Encarnación.

After the signing of the "Strengthening of Connectivity" Project, progress is expected, on the one hand, with the interconnection of fiber optic networks in Clorinda-Formosa. Parallel to the realization of the physical interconnection in the first node, which does not imply data transit but only a "joining" of the networks, the companies COPACO and ARSAT continue negotiating the associated connectivity agreement/contract.

Background

Within the framework of the "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Implementation of the Connectivity Strengthening Project" signed in 2017, Argentina and Paraguay negotiated a project that aims to achieve an interconnection of the fiber optic networks of each country to the interconnection points where international internet providers are located.

Based on the progress made in the conversations between the focal points, the Foreign Ministries decided to convene the VI Meeting of the GTMC, held on October 25, in a virtual format.

Regarding the interconnection schedule, the focal points specified that, for operational reasons, it would begin with the node located in Clorinda (Argentina), which would connect with Puerto Falcón (Paraguay). Subsequently, it would continue with the node located in Posadas (Argentina) that would connect with Encarnación (Paraguay), on a date to be defined, once progress is made with the necessary complementary works.