Telecommunications of Honduras
Telecommunications in Honduras have advanced at a good pace, innovating in them almost at the same time as other countries. Honduras ventured into telegraphy in 1876 (invented in 1833) and telephony in 1891 (invented in 1857). The first radio broadcasts began in 1928.
It is estimated that telecommunications represent 7.1% of the GDP in Honduras (2008).
Press
The written press started in Honduras through La Gaceta (Honduras), the government’s informative organ. Francisco Morazán, who introduced the country’s first printing press, issued the first national communications in 1830. The oldest newspaper in the modern era is the daily newspaper La Prensa, founded on October 26, 1964. This newspaper, along with Diario Tiempo, originates its editions from San Pedro Sula. Other important newspapers include El Heraldo and La Tribuna in Tegucigalpa. All these newspapers can be read for free from anywhere on the planet through the internet. Internet newspapers such as HonduDiario.com and Proceso Digital also form part of the written press.
Telegraph
In 1876, during the liberal administration of Doctor Marco Aurelio Soto, known as the «reformer of the republic,» the telegraph poles were planted and the telegraph lines were installed, inaugurating the first telegraph lines that connected the cities of La Paz and Comayagua. Later, in 1887, Tegucigalpa was connected, and in 1880, San Pedro Sula.
In 1877, to improve communications between Honduras and the rest of the world, a contract was signed between the government and entrepreneur J. A. Braam for the installation of an underwater telegraph cable between Puerto Cortés and Cape San Antonio in Cuba, where it would connect with international lines communicating with the United States of America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Panama.
In 1928, the General Directorate of Telegraphs was renamed the General Directorate of Telegraphs and Telephones.
Radio
Radio in Honduras began in 1928 when the Tela Railroad Company established Tropical Radio, the country’s first commercial radio station, followed by HRN, which started broadcasting in 1933.
Telephony and Hondutel
The first concessions for telephone service were granted in 1891, but automatic service began in 1932 with the installation of a 1,000-line telephone exchange in Tegucigalpa. In 1976, the Honduran Telecommunications Company (Hondutel) was created and began its operations the following year.
Currently, Hondutel offers fixed and wireless telephony services (821,200 lines in 2007), ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) internet service, prepaid card services, among others.
Mobile Telephony
Mobile telephony in Honduras began in 1996 with the company Celtel, which later became Tigo. In 2001, a second mobile telephony operator, Megatel, started its operations, which became Aló and then Claro. In 2007, Honducel began operations, and in 2008, the fourth mobile telephony operator in the country, Digicel, started its operations.
Television
The Honduran people started getting informed through television in 1959 with the arrival of Channel 5 of Televicentro (Honduras). This channel was later joined by channels 3 and 7 in San Pedro Sula. Gradually, other channels such as Voz e Imagen Centroamericana (VICA Televisión), Channel 11, Channel 13, Channel 6, Channel 36, and Channel 8 were added to the country’s information network, among others.
Opening of Telecommunications and Private Companies
With the opening of telecommunications in Honduras, foreign investment has been beneficial. Nowadays, several specialized companies operate in the country, such as Cable Color and Amnet, as well as Tigo and Claro, which provide services such as television, fixed telephony, mobile telephony, and internet to the population.
Internet
Internet arrived in the country in the early 1990s when it was connected to various submarine cables. The most popular means of connection are cable internet, fixed-line telephony, and mobile internet.
In 2008, 13.1 out of every 100 Hondurans used the Internet regularly, although only 0.8% were fixed subscribers of this service. This is due to the popularity of cybercafés in the different neighborhoods and colonies of the country’s cities.
