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ICTs and Media Companies
El Salvador is an example to follow in Central Amer-
ica. It is extremely competitive in the ICTs market.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
El Salvador has nothing to envy from more advanced
countries. It is a country with a penetration rate of
100% and with 4-5 worldwide telecommunication
companies with the consequent struggle for market
share. El Salvador is a country with almost 100%
coverage with the ease of getting cheap mobiles
with 3G technology, broadband internet, cable and
satelite TV with an array of channels. Definitely,
Salvadorans are demanding and sophisticated
customers who want the latest technology.
Great part of the success is due to the privatization
of the telecommunication sector in 1998 and the
creation of a specific law for the sector, which
attracted the major telecommunication groups
worldwide. This model is being copied by neighboring
countries such as Costa Rica.
Business Services at a Distance
Close to 30 call centers have installed themselves
in El Salvador and this number is constantly
increasing. The majority, are well-known companies
establishing projects in El Salvador and providing
services to Distant Service Enterprises, clients in
A very common image: woman speaking with
her mobile phone (El Diario de Hoy)
the Western hemisphere –specially those related to
Call Centres / Contact Centers and Business and
Commercial Processing Centers.
The dislocation and/or externalization of business
and commercial services offered from abroad has
turned into a good opportunity for entrepreneurs to
reach high levels of productivity at less cost, since
it is estimated that there is a reduction of 30-40% in
El Salvador.
Because of its central location, El Salvador allows
strategic options to companies in regards to its
location, since it permits easy access to the United
States and South America. It is a serious competitor
to world giants, such as India and the Philippines,
since it is located 2-3 hours flying time from the
United States. European companies use El Salvador
as platforms for their customer care night services
due to the time difference.
Salvadorans are used to the American culture
and their accent is well accepted by Americans in
comparison to India and the Philippines. Satisfaction
levels of clients taken care of by Salvadoran Call
Centres are the highest in the world.
The quality of its workforce, adequate infrastructure
and continuous renovations, as well as its investment
climate, make El Salvador an ideal destination in
which to develop business and establish operations
of business services at a distance.
Many airlines choose El Salvador as a destination (CEPA)