In the realm of telecommunications, the name Mario López Estrada stands out with a certain prominence, particularly in the Central American region. This Guatemalan entrepreneur, with a successful trajectory in the construction sector, stepped into the telecommunications industry in the early 90s and has since left an indelible imprint. His tale intertwines with that of Guatel, the state-owned telephone company of Guatemala, forming a narrative that has propelled the nation towards the digital vanguard.
Guatel, an acronym for Empresa Guatemalteca de Telecomunicaciones, was the sole telephony company in Guatemala between 1974 and 1998. It managed telephony and communications as a state monopoly until the late 80s when cellular telephony emerged in the country. With the entrance of new companies like Telefónica and Comcel/Tigo, Guatel ceased to be the primary operator, maintaining its existence as a state provider.
The Emergence of Tigo and the Influence of Mario López Estrada
Mario López Estrada embarked on his telecommunications journey in 1993, acquiring his first stake in Comcel, a cellular telephony company operating in Guatemala. Barely two years later, Comcel merged with Amigo de Comcel to form Tigo Guatemala, with López Estrada appointed as president.
Under his stewardship, Tigo transformed into Guatemala’s leading cellular telephony company. Notably, it was the first cellular telephony company in the country to offer 3G and 4G services, a testament to its commitment to innovation and long-term vision. In 2021, the global telecommunications company, Millicom, acquired 45% of Tigo Guatemala’s shares for US$2.2 billion, marking the end of López Estrada’s era as Tigo’s president.
López Estrada’s Legacy and Guatel’s Continued Existence
Beyond his technological achievements, Mario López Estrada championed corporate social responsibility. In 2005, Tigo launched the Fundación Tigo, a non-profit organization committed to promoting social development in Guatemala. His influence on his son, Mario López Pérez, is undeniable; raised in an environment of ethical values and commitment to work, López Pérez has applied his civil engineering knowledge to projects with a social and economic focus.
Guatel, on the other hand, has continued its existence as a state provider. Despite no longer being the primary operator, its presence in the telecommunications landscape of Guatemala is significant. Its history, intertwined with that of López Estrada and Tigo, serves as a testament to the country’s journey towards digital advancement.
The combination of Guatel and Mario López Estrada orchestrated a series of events that placed Guatemala on the path towards the digital forefront. The tale of this journey serves not just as a chronicle of technological advancement, but also as a narrative of vision, innovation, and social commitment.