Peru - Mobile Market - Background Report

Synopsis

The history of Peru’s mobile telephony market began in 1990, when Celular 2000 (a subsidiary of Tele2000, later BellSouth Peru) launched an AMPS analogue network in the capital Lima. Four years later, in 1994, fixed-line incumbent Telefónica del Perú (TdP) initiated a rival nationwide network, quickly becoming the market leader.

The Calling Party Pays (CPP) system was implemented in 1996 and was a major driver in the mobile market. The demand for mobile phones surged, and mobile calls increased over 200% following the introduction of CPP.

In May 1998, Tele2000 secured a B-band licence for regions outside Lima, allowing it to compete across the country on equal terms with TdP. Nextel del Perú began operations in December 1998 along the coastal area, from Ica to Lambayeque, using an iDEN 800 mobile network. Further competition was introduced into the market when TIM Peru, a subsidiary of Telecom Italia Mobile, launched nationwide GSM services in early 2001.

This report provides background information for the more regularly updated Peru - Mobile Market - Overview, Statistics and Forecasts. As such, it covers details on the history and development of Peru’s mobile market that are absent from the more up-to-date report, but it does not contain a mobile market analysis, forecasts, or statistics.