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Clear Blue’s Smart Off-Grid™ technology will power a mission critical network that is an early part of Telefónica’s “Internet para todos” program to connect 100 million rural Latin Americans to the Internet

TORONTO, Oct. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. (“Clear Blue”) (TSXV:CBLU), has delivered its Smart Off-Grid technology to Telefónica and Mayu Telecommunications (“Mayu”) to power a mission-critical network for the city of Atalaya, located in the Amazon Jungle.

This pilot deployment at two locations is an early key element of Telefónica’s “Internet para todos”, or “Internet for all” program, which will offer connectivity to 100 million people in rural Latin America who do not have Internet access today.  Telefónica is working closely with local partners, such as Mayu in Peru, to deploy this network using open technology.

The newly installed network in Atalaya offers reliable telecommunications and broadband Internet services to 25,000 people who were previously “digitally isolated”, and is powered by 100% renewable energy, in line with Telefónica and Mayu’s commitment to clean energy practices.  As Atalaya is in the environmentally sensitive Amazon region and is not connected to the electric grid, it was crucial that the network could operate independently and with high reliability.

“When you have so many people relying on the network, you can’t afford to have it underperform or break down.  What’s more, the areas where we have deployed the towers through our partner Mayu are difficult to get to, so in addition to being environmentally clean and cost-efficient, we needed a system that would remain operational without the need for frequent maintenance or repairs,” said Cesar Hernandez, manager of strategic projects and investments, Telefónica. “Clear Blue’s Smart Off-Grid technology provides highly reliable off-grid power and the remote control and management capabilities necessary to perform well in this challenging environment. The new connectivity will empower the people of Atalaya to join the modern marketplace.”

Given its remote location, all the equipment needed to be hand carried for over three hours to reach the mountain top locations where the systems were installed.

“This is one of the most challenging deployments we’ve been involved in, with no tracks or roads to transport about 20 tons of materials to each site, but it was well worth it when you consider the end result,” added Omar Tupayachi, president and CEO, Mayu. “We believe that broadband connectivity through our partnership with Telefónica will provide substantial economic opportunities, particularly for the young people in the area, that will sustain further prosperity in Peru.”

Clear Blue’s Smart Off-Grid technology offers automated remote management and control, predictive weather forecasting, and the ability to optimize systems remotely, which significantly reduces the need for technicians to travel to the site for updates or repairs.  Its extensive troubleshooting capabilities facilitate quick resolution of any issues, keeping systems running with unmatched reliability and long-lasting performance, while reducing installation and maintenance costs by up to 80 percent.

“We are pleased to have been able to contribute to this initial step within Telefónica’s ambitious and grand vision of bringing the Internet to 100 million more people in rural Latin America.  Clean, reliable Smart Off-Grid power will be a key enabler to the thousands of sites that will be needed to achieve this,” added Miriam Tuerk, CEO and co-founder of Clear Blue. “It was incredibly rewarding to work with Telefónica and Mayu to support their valuable initiative to connect people throughout Latin America.”

Once completed, the network will serve as a test pilot for the larger program, establishing best practices and analytics for the entire Internet para todos project.  Clear Blue’s weather forecasting will be instrumental in this regard, and will help build analytics which can be carried through to future installations.

About Clear Blue Technologies International

Clear Blue Technologies International, the Smart Off-Grid™ company, was founded on a vision of delivering clean, managed, “wireless power” to meet the global need for reliable, low-cost, solar and hybrid power for lighting, telecom, security, Internet of Things devices, and other mission-critical systems.  Today, Clear Blue has thousands of systems under management across 34 countries, including the U.S. and Canada.

About Telefónica

Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world by market capitalization and number of customers with a comprehensive offering and quality of connectivity that is delivered over world class fixed, mobile and broadband networks.  As a growing company it prides itself on providing a differential experience based both on its corporate values and a public position that defends customer interests.

The company has a significant presence in 17 countries and 357.5 million accesses around the world.  Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy.

Telefónica is a 100% listed company and its shares are traded on the Spanish Stock Market and on those in London, New York, Lima, and Buenos Aires.

About Mayu Telecommunications 

Mayu Telecommunications is a telecom infrastructure operator focused in rural areas.  They invest, deploy, and maintain their own telecom network in rural regions where there is lack of telecom infrastructure and in consequence telecom services.  Mobile operators rent their infrastructure in order to provide mobile services to new users in these regions. Mayu is a company born with the vision of making possible the provision of quality telecommunications services in an efficient and sustainable way to every inhabitant of the country, regardless of geography, distances and market difficulties.

Media Contact: 
Becky Nye
Senior Associate
Montieth & Company 
12 E 49th St., New York, NY 10017
+1 646.864.3517
bnye@montiethco.com

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