Synacor Scores Latin American Foothold

Synacor’s expansion into Latin American has gotten underway by way of a deal with Grupo TVCable, Ecuador’s largest cable operator.

Under the deal, which will see consumer trials start in the fourth quarter, the operator has tapped Synacor to build a new, Spanish-language customer Web portal and support the MSO’s e-mail app. In phase two, Synacor will enable Grupo TVCable’s trial of authenticated TV Everywhere services.

Grupo TVCable serves Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and more than other 20 cities in the country.

“Providing our customers with world-class portal and email services is of vital importance to Grupo TVCable Ecuador, and we’re particularly excited about the opportunity to entertain and inform our high-speed Internet subscribers,” said Grupo TVCable Ecuador CEO Jorge Schwartz, in a statement.

“With Latin America not only one of the fastest growing and largest economies in the world, but also surging in high-speed Internet use and mobile device proliferation, Synacor is thrilled to have a partner in the marketplace, Grupo TVCable Ecuador, one of the largest and most influential providers in Latin America,” added Synacor CEO Ron Frankel.

The deal marks progress in Synacor’s international strategy. Its announced U.S. customers include  BendBroadband, Buckeye CableSystem, CenturyLink, CableOne, Charter Communications, Suddenlink Communications, WideOpenWest, Surewest Communications and Verizon Communications.