History: from Ugueto to UTS

1892-1951: first urban network

The telecommunication era started in Curaçao in 1892 with the granting of the first concession for the installation of a telephone network to Abraham Ugueto . In 1927 the former Colonial Authorities took over and the ‘Landsradio- en Telefoondienst’ was established. This resulted in the construction of a completely new network for Curaçao, including a denser telephone network, which within a short time encompassed the urban area.

1952-1978: going international

In 1952 the 'Telefoondienst' was separated from the 'Landsradiodienst' and transferred to the Island Territories, while the ‘Landsradio en Telegraafdienst’ was established. The 'Landsradio en Telegraafdienst' concentrated its efforts on making its networks denser, including the introduction of VHF-Technologies, the tropes scanner connection with Venezuela and the most important innovation of that time, which is the laying of the submarine cable between Curaçao, St. Martin and St. Thomas. Subsequently, The Netherlands Antilles became part of the international communications network.

1979-1995: from telegraph to telephone

In 1979 the 'Telefoondienst' became a limited liability company, operating under the name SETEL N.V. Since 1979 the telephone network of SETEL N.V. has been continuously upgraded and the number of connected subscribers has grown dramatically. This was also the case with the total number of mobile telephone users, which knew a spectacular growth. At that same time the telegraph lost out to the telephone.

1996: adding value to life through communication

In 1996 'Landsradio en Telegraafdienst' was transformed into Antelecom N.V. and in 1999, together with SETEL N.V., a holding company was formed named United Telecommunication Services N.V. (UTS). UTS operation is based on a vision and a strategy for a combined, coherent approach to domestic and international telecommunication. It believes in a combined future for telecommunication, which has been summed up in one sentence as "the expansion of capacity and service". The mission statement for UTS thus is: Adding Value to life through Communication.