Panama's Internet and communications infrastructure
Panama has experienced many changes regarding telecommunications in the past years. The telecommunications market was privatized in 1997, and in 2003 it was de-regulated. Although many of the changes that were brought about as a result of these two processes have not been entirely positive, many have been beneficial to both individuals and businesses.
The telecommunications infrastructure has greatly improved. As a result, telecommunication companies are installing Network Operation Centers (NOCs) in Panama, taking advantage of the geographical location and the abundant supply of submarine fiber-optic communications circuits on both coasts, which makes possible interconnection to North and Latin America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the world over redundant routes.
These submarine networks give Panama four (4) international connections via high-bandwidth, fiber-optical trunk routes, superseding the current satellite link-feed system that is now in operation. In addition, these new cables incorporate New Wave Division Multiplexing Technology that will allow extraordinarily ultra-high-speed bandwidth intensive applications such as multimedia and digital video. This in turn is already enabling fast and reliable connections for B2B, banking, e-commerce and other businesses as well as additional high-speed consumer activity units.
The MAYA-1 ring features relays in Florida, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island. In addition to its own communications structure, it provides a restoration path for the Pan-American cable. The ARCOS-1 trunk spans Florida, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Aruba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The GLOBAL CROSSING project connects Asia, the US, goes through the Panama Canal, the Caribbean countries, and Europe.
The MAYA and ARCOS ring systems link the continental Americas and the Caribbean Basin. Total investment for the two fiber-optic trunk systems is targeted at $217 million, and is to be divided between a mainly 14-member consortium, including world-class carriers such as AT&T, CTC Mundo, France Telecom, MCI, SPRINT, Star Telecom, Swisscom, TelMex WorldExchange and Cable & Wireless.
The OXYGEN network links the US Caribbean, goes through the Panama Canal, and connects to the Pacific Ocean within Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Europe. The MAYA 1, GLOBAL CROSSING, OXYGEN and ARCOS-1 projects represent yet another building block in Panama’s quest to become Latin America’s Telecom Hub, which the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) has predicted will occur within the next few years.
Infrastructure at the National Level
On the national level, Panamá has four optical cable systems which are extended throughout the country.