Claro Ecuador renews 15-year contract for mobile service

Far from being a routine renewal, the agreement is considered a milestone for Ecuador’s telecommunications sector by consolidating a concession model designed to accelerate technological development and expand nationwide connectivity. The contract incorporates a modern structure that allows the evolution toward 5G, 5.5G, and future technologies without additional permits, according to law firm CorralRosales, which advised Conecel on the contract renewal.

By adopting a regime of technological neutrality, it fosters private investment and accelerates the deployment of new capabilities at a time when data demand is growing exponentially. This level of flexibility is essential for closing digital gaps and supporting long-term economic development, the firm added.

The structure also provides continuity of service for millions of users, while ensuring a predictable revenue stream for the Ecuadorian State through granting fees, recurring payments and spectrum-use contributions. This balance between fiscal sustainability, technical stability, and uninterrupted service reflects a level of institutional maturity that is critical for attracting responsible investment.

CorralRosales partner Hugo García Larriva highlighted that the concession incorporates safeguards aligned with international standards, including equal and non-discriminatory treatment, legal-stability mechanisms and protections against arbitrary decisions—elements that reinforce legal certainty while preserving the state’s regulatory authority. The contract also includes economic and financial rebalancing provisions to protect operators if regulatory or economic conditions shift, without limiting the sovereign power of the state. 

“With this approach, Ecuador aligns with international best practices in infrastructure governance,” he said.

In parallel, the framework strengthens user-protection obligations, requiring high standards of quality, continuity and customer service, with ARCOTEL retaining full supervisory and enforcement powers. The model integrates regulatory discipline with incentives for increased coverage, capacity, and service quality rather than imposing barriers that could hinder innovation.

From a technical standpoint, the contract facilitates rapid introduction of new technologies and more efficient spectrum management measures expected to translate into faster speeds, improved reliability and expanded digital services for citizens, businesses, schools, and healthcare centers.

The state will additionally benefit from a new Expansion Plan directing investment toward priority areas such as rural coverage, school and healthcare connectivity, and capacity upgrades in high-demand regions model the firm says more effectively links the concession to social development.

Partner García Larriva emphasized that the agreement demonstrates Ecuador’s ability to successfully combine three objectives often perceived as conflicting: regulatory strength, user’s rights protection and creating private-investment incentives. All these contributes to building trust, accelerating infrastructure development, and positioning the country on a sustainable path of digital, institutional, and economic progress. It also places Ecuador in line with regional leaders adopting modern, investment-driven concession frameworks.

In addition to Hugo García Larriva, the CorralRosales team comprised partner Xavier Rosales, supported by senior associates Ana Samudio and Martín Flores.