The State of Mobile Experience in Colombia: Key Findings and Industry Developments

In its latest benchmark report for Colombia, Tutela reveals vital insights into the performance of the country’s mobile operators. Analyzing over 3.3 million speed and latency tests conducted between December 2021 and May 2022, the report highlights the significant shifts in Colombia’s telecom landscape amidst the growing demand for mobile connectivity. With mobile internet connections reaching 38 million by the end of December 2021—a dramatic 16.8% increase compared to the previous year—it’s clear that the pandemic has heightened the importance of robust telecom infrastructure.

WOM’s Impact on the Colombian Mobile Market

One of the standout developments in Colombia’s telecom sector has been the entry of WOM as a new player. Launched in April 2021, WOM quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, amassing over 2 million subscriptions and deploying 3,832 cell sites in just a year. According to the Tutela report, WOM leads the industry in Excellent and Core Consistent Quality metrics, with 54.6% of connections meeting the high-performance needs of activities such as HD video streaming and online gaming.

This dominance in network consistency demonstrates how competition drives innovation and network upgrades. WOM’s aggressive push has not only introduced fresh competition but also incentivized other operators to elevate customer experiences.

Claro’s Modernization and the Road to 5G

Meanwhile, market leader Claro is taking significant steps toward modernizing its network infrastructure. The company has announced that it will complete its 2G network shutdown by the end of 2022 to free up spectrum for enhanced 4G capabilities and eventual 5G deployment. This decision marks a pivotal moment in Colombia’s march toward faster, more reliable mobile networks.

However, Colombia’s broader progress on 5G remains slow. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) has yet to announce a spectrum auction timeline. A public consultation was recently launched, addressing topics such as spectrum allocation and network upgrades, but a clear roadmap for 5G still seems distant. Despite these delays, the increasing consumer demand for higher-speed internet ensures that 5G deployment will remain a priority for the coming years.

Performance Metrics: Leaderboard Insights

Tutela’s metrics provide additional insights into the performance of Colombia’s top mobile operators. While WOM leads with a Core Consistent Quality score of 75.5%, Movistar and Tigo trail closely behind at 71.8% and 71.3%, respectively. Claro, often the incumbent market leader, lags at 64.9%, highlighting the challenges the operator faces in matching the performance of its more nimble competitors.

These results spotlight how technological advancements and competition are reshaping the Colombian mobile experience. As operators invest in network upgrades and innovations, consumers stand to benefit from better coverage, faster speeds, and more reliable connections.