Telecom Argentina accelerated its 5G network expansion and broadband investment during the third quarter of 2026, increasing capital expenditure by 44 percent year over year to $354 million. The operator added 887 5G sites during the first nine months of 2026, while its Personal mobile business reported 17.94 million subscribers and 4.25 million broadband accesses in Argentina at September 30.
The company’s investment strategy focuses on expanding 5G coverage, increasing mobile network capacity, strengthening fiber broadband infrastructure and integrating customer and network assets associated with its acquisition of Telefónica Móviles Argentina.
Telecom Argentina also entered into a $450 million agreement with Metrotel covering approximately 6.01 million mobile customers, 211,566 residential internet customers, spectrum rights and network infrastructure.
Telecom Argentina Capex Rises 44% as 5G Investment Accelerates
Telecom Argentina’s third-quarter capital expenditure reached $354 million, representing 44 percent annual growth. During January–September 2026, capital expenditure increased 35.8 percent in constant Argentine pesos.
The investment supported mobile network expansion, 5G site deployment, 4G capacity improvements and fixed broadband infrastructure.
Telecom Argentina deployed 887 additional 5G sites during the first nine months, expanding its next-generation mobile network footprint. Its 4G/LTE network reached 97 percent urban population coverage, with reported average network speeds of 94 Mbps.
The company’s 4G coverage provides an extensive foundation for mobile connectivity while 5G investments increase capacity in selected service areas.
Personal Mobile Subscribers Reach 17.94 Million
Telecom Argentina’s Personal business reported 17.94 million mobile customers in Argentina at the end of September 2026.
Its fixed broadband business recorded 4.25 million accesses, reflecting the scale of its residential internet operations.
According to the company’s November 12 financial results, quarterly capital expenditure represented 19.9 percent of revenue, compared with 16.4 percent a year earlier.
Telecom Argentina Revenue Reaches $1.78 Billion
Telecom Argentina reported third-quarter consolidated revenue of $1.778 billion, increasing 18 percent in US dollar terms from $1.501 billion a year earlier.
Service revenue reached $1.714 billion, up 19 percent in US dollar terms. However, inflation-adjusted service revenue declined 1.7 percent in Argentine pesos.
The operator reported mobile service revenue growth of 5.1 percent in inflation-adjusted pesos during the quarter, while internet service revenue declined 4.6 percent.
For the first nine months of 2026, mobile service revenue increased 17.2 percent and internet service revenue rose 5.2 percent in real terms.
Mobile Subscribers Decline 11.8%, but ARPU Improves 18.8%
Personal Argentina’s mobile subscriber base declined 11.8 percent to 17.94 million from 20.35 million in September 2025.
Telecom Argentina attributed the decline mainly to disconnecting inactive prepaid connections after shortening its inactivity threshold from 240 days to 180 days in June 2026.
Despite the reduction in reported subscribers, the operator added 89,000 postpaid customers, representing 1.1 percent annual growth.
Postpaid customers accounted for 45 percent of Personal’s mobile base, compared with 39 percent a year earlier.
Personal’s inflation-adjusted mobile ARPU increased 18.8 percent to ARS 12,940.8 during the first nine months of 2026, compared with ARS 10,890.4 in the corresponding period of 2025.
Average monthly mobile churn improved to 2.0 percent from 2.1 percent.
Broadband Customers Rise 2.5%, but ARPU Falls
Personal Argentina’s broadband accesses increased 2.5 percent to 4.25 million at September 30, 2026, from 4.15 million a year earlier, representing a net increase of approximately 103,000 customers.
However, inflation-adjusted broadband ARPU declined 2.9 percent to ARS 32,466 from ARS 33,430.9.
Average monthly broadband churn increased to 1.4 percent from 1.2 percent.
Telefónica Argentina Adds 20.06 Million Mobile Customers to Group Operations
The acquired Telefónica Móviles Argentina business reported 20.06 million mobile connections at September 30, 2026, an increase of 5.2 percent from 19.06 million a year earlier.
Its mobile customer base included 17.01 million prepaid and postpaid connections and 3.05 million machine-to-machine connections.
Telefónica Móviles Argentina’s broadband accesses increased 3.8 percent to 1.67 million.
Its inflation-adjusted mobile ARPU increased 2.3 percent to ARS 10,376.2, while broadband ARPU declined 7.9 percent to ARS 27,440.3.
The reported Personal and Telefónica Móviles Argentina businesses together accounted for approximately 38.0 million mobile connections in Argentina before the effects of customer transfers and any other consolidation adjustments.
$450 Million Metrotel Agreement Reshapes Customer and Network Assets
Telecom Argentina’s agreement with Metrotel, valued at $450 million, covers approximately 6.01 million mobile customers and 211,566 residential broadband customers associated with the acquired Telefónica Móviles Argentina operations.
The agreement also includes certain spectrum usage rights and fiber infrastructure in Buenos Aires. The five-year commercial framework covers radio access network sharing, national and international roaming, colocation and fixed-network port rental.
