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.

General information about Panama

Panama is a Constitutional Republic with democratic elections held every 5 years. It's economy is based primarily on a well developed service sector that includes the Panama Canal, a very strong banking system with more than 100 international banks, the Colon Free Trade Zone, insurance companies, container ports, ship registry and tourism. Panama uses the US Dollar as its currency. The cost of labor is much less than in more developed countries such as the United States. For example, the monthly salary for a worker in a call center is between $500-600 per month.

Main industries: Banking, construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling, shipping and agriculture. Main business partners: USA, EU, Central America and the Caribbean, Japan.