Tigo is open for business in Ecuador

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Operators; 06 October 2026; 825 views

Tigo is now officially a mobile operator brand in Ecuador. On 1 October the telecommunications brand owned by Millicom replaced Movistar and Tuenti, after Tigo completed its acquisition of Telefonica's operations in the country.

Millicom International Cellular announced the successful completion of its US$380 million acquisition of Telefónica's telecommunications operations in Ecuador in October last year.

Local press reports indicate that, as far as customers are concerned, the transition will be mainly brand-related and does not involve performing procedures, changing a phone number, replacing the chip or signing a new contract.

The application that previously worked as Mi Movistar is now Mi Tigo Ecuador. Customers do not necessarily have to download another application. The website, social networks and other channels have adopted the new identity.

Tigo Ecuador currently has more than five million customers and has a presence in all of the country’s 24 provinces.

However, one significant change involves a new investment plan. Tigo has announced investment of more than US$460 million for the next four years, aimed at modernising the network, expanding coverage and improving service.

This comes on top of the US$450 million already invested, a total commitment of more than US$900 million to date.

The company has apparently said it is working on the expansion and modernisation of more than 2,000 network sites with 4G LTE technology. In addition, it has deployed more than 150 new sites in 18 provinces. Roberto Andino, CEO of Tigo Ecuador, quoted in a number of outlets, has reportedly said that the company plans at least 500 new network sites.

It also incorporated spectrum in the 700MHz band, which is expected to improve coverage, notably indoors.

This transaction is part of Millicom's strategy to deepen its presence in Latin America. Its operations now span eleven countries.