First Phase of VIVA's Network Modernization Program with Rakuten Symphony to Transform 200 Mobile Network Sites in Bolivia

• VIVA is making a multi-million dollar investment in the first phase of a staged modernization of its mobile network, transforming 200 sites with a new architecture designed to increase network capacity, strengthen performance and service stability, and deliver a better connectivity experience for customers, particularly in high-demand areas.

SANTA CRUZ, August 2026 — Telecommunications company VIVA has begun the first phase of a technology modernization process that will progress in stages, investing a multi-million dollar sum to technologically modernize 200 existing sites across its mobile network in Bolivia. The information generated during this rollout will help guide the planning of subsequent stages of the modernization process.

To deliver the program, VIVA has selected Rakuten Symphony as its technology partner for the network modernization program. Rakuten Symphony will provide the cloud-native Open RAN technology and expertise underpinning the deployment, helping VIVA establish a more open, flexible and software-driven network architecture that can evolve with the country's growing digital demands.

Through this deployment, VIVA will become the first operator in Bolivia to implement Open RAN—Open Radio Access Network—a cutting-edge technology that modernizes the network’s radio access layer through a more open, modular and flexible infrastructure. Experienced deploying and operating cloud-native Open RAN at scale, Rakuten Symphony’s Open RAN technology is designed to separate network software from underlying hardware, enabling greater flexibility in how the network is deployed, upgraded and operated.

The rollout will proceed progressively nationwide, prioritizing high-demand areas along Bolivia’s main urban corridor and in the city of El Alto.

The adoption of this technology directly responds to the exponential growth in digital consumption and the simultaneous use of applications and digital services. From an operational perspective, Open RAN will allow VIVA to manage periods of peak data traffic more efficiently. For VIVA customers, this will translate into:

• Greater connection stability: The modernization will help reduce the impact of network congestion in densely populated areas and during peak usage periods.
• Optimized performance: More efficient real-time management of data traffic will support a more consistent and seamless experience while enabling the network to adapt to the growing demands of applications and digital services.
• Greater efficiency across the national network infrastructure: The modernization of the first 200 sites will also allow technical equipment to be reused and redeployed in other mid-sized cities, strengthening network operations and resilience across different regions of the country.
• Increased network capacity: The new architecture will enable VIVA to manage higher traffic volumes and more efficiently support the continued growth in data consumption and the simultaneous use of applications and digital services.

A Network Ready for What Comes Next

This initiative represents a concrete step in VIVA’s evolution from a telecommunications company into a techco, where connectivity remains essential while also becoming the starting point for developing new digital experiences and services.

“We are modernizing our network to improve connectivity today and to build the digital platform for what comes next. This multi-million dollar investment in the first 200 sites marks a milestone in our commitment to providing a more stable service with greater capacity. It also represents a concrete step in our evolution from a traditional telco into an integrated technology company, or techco,” said Ryan Alvarez, CEO of VIVA Bolivia.

Sharad Sriwastawa, President of Rakuten Symphony, highlighted the potential of the deployment: “VIVA is taking a bold step toward a more open, cloud-native and intelligent network, and Rakuten Symphony is proud to be helping make that transformation real. This first phase of 200 sites puts the foundation in place for a network that can scale more efficiently, adapt to changing customer demands and evolve as VIVA’s digital ambitions grow. By combining proven Open RAN technology with cloud-native infrastructure and a path toward AI-driven operations, VIVA can modernize its network today while creating the flexibility to innovate and deliver new digital experiences tomorrow.”

With this first phase, VIVA is opening a new era for its network and strengthening the technological foundation that will support the continued modernization of its infrastructure. In collaboration with Rakuten Symphony, the company is laying the groundwork for a more open, cloud-native and adaptable network designed to meet Bolivia's evolving digital demands today while giving VIVA the flexibility to introduce new capabilities and digital services over time.