We just had fiber installed and what a difference. Starting with the cost (50% less) and most of all the Internet speed ( up to 1000 mbps download and 200 mbps upload). It was a no brainer and soooo nice to drop Cable Onda after 14 years.
From January to September 2020, Central American countries imported fiber optic cables for $45 million, 18% more than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a rise that is explained by the behavior of purchases from Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Regional Business Figures
Between January-September 2019 and the same period of 2020 the imported value of fiber optic cables in Central America increased 18%, going from $38 million to $45 million.
For the months in question, regional purchases from companies in Mexico and China increased by 12% and 29%, respectively.
Costa Rica, Main importer
In the first nine months of 2020 the main buyer in the region was Costa Rica, with $14 million, followed by Honduras, with $8 million, Guatemala, with $6 million, El Salvador, with $5 million, Panama, with $4 million and Nicaragua also with $2 million.
For the period in question, Panamanian purchases increased by 115% year-on-year, Nicaraguan purchases by 79%, Guatemalan purchases by 17%, Honduran purchases by 3% and Costa Rican purchases by 2%. In the case of El Salvador, imports decreased by 16%.
Mexico and China, the Most Important Supplier
From January to September 2020, 29% of the value of imports in the region came from China, 21% from China, 12% from the USA, 10% from India, 6% from Spain, 4% from Colombia and 4% from Hong Kong.
China is the market of origin of imports that has grown the most for the months in question in recent years, since in 2012 it represented 6% of Central America‘s total purchases, and in 2020 that proportion rose to 29%.
Stay Safe!!
Hey Tom,
Who installed your fiber optic cables? Any idea if they service Santas Clara/Coclé?? Love to make a change. Rob
Tell how, when & where to get “fiber”!
The problems with C&W and Cable Onda have gotten much worse. I switched from C/O to C&W, and most days I’m left without phone service for my landline. My firestick spools, and spools. Signal dropped soooo many times on a daily basis with C/O. Today I’m waiting for the Tech from C&W, which I don’t believe will show, and of course they don’t call and say anything. New service installed Monday, May 19th – unbelievable!!
I see some relief, however. This week I heard of a company for internet/WiFi. Unfortunately, my PH is not wired for them, so it should take about 1 month, according to the saleswoman. I will drop my TV service, and also home phone line, and will therefore have nothing to do with those 2 non-customer service jokers.
M