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	Hondutel launched its third PCS operation with Ceibacel on December 14, 2007 in ].{{Fact}}		Hondutel launched its third PCS operation with Ceibacel on December 14, 2007 in ].{{Fact}}

	== Corruption ~~under Manuel Zelaya's administration~~ ==		== Corruption Scandal ==
		⚫	] appointed his ]<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> Marcelo Chimirri in charge of the state-owned Hondutel.
	{{See also\|Financial irregularities during the Manuel Zelaya administration}}
⚫	] ~~put~~ his ]<ref name="arcadia">{{cite web \|url=http://arcadiafoundation.org/latest-papers/arcadia-foundation-in-action-robert-carmona-borjas-on-our-campaign-in-honduras-en-espanol/ \|title=Arcadia Foundation IN ACTION: Robert Carmona-Borjas On Our Campaign in Honduras (En Español) \|publisher=The Arcadia Foundation \|date=2009-11-09}}</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> Marcelo Chimirri in charge of the state-owned Hondutel.

	On May 8, 2006, Chimirri attacked Octavio Carvajal, a journalist who had raised embarrassing questions. Chimirri reportedly grabbed Carvajal by the throat and said "I am not intimidating you because I am not someone who makes threats - I act and I execute... the president’s office is irritated by all the questions you have been asking."<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.rsf.org/Radio-journalist-flees-to-US-after.html \|title=Radio journalist flees to US after being threatened by state phone company official \|publisher=Reporters Without Borders \|date=2006-05-12 }}</ref>		On May 8, 2006, Chimirri attacked Octavio Carvajal, a journalist who had raised embarrassing questions. Chimirri reportedly grabbed Carvajal by the throat and said "I am not intimidating you because I am not someone who makes threats - I act and I execute... the president’s office is irritated by all the questions you have been asking."<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.rsf.org/Radio-journalist-flees-to-US-after.html \|title=Radio journalist flees to US after being threatened by state phone company official \|publisher=Reporters Without Borders \|date=2006-05-12 }}</ref>

	On September 8, 2007, Mexican newspaper El Universal noted that between 2005 and 2006, the first year of President Manuel Zelaya's administration, Hondutel's income strangely decreased 47%. Given that Hondutel is the only organization that can legally receive international calls, there was no logical reason why this had happened, raising questions where the money had went.<ref>{{web cite \|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/internacional/55366.html \|title=Revelan en EU presunto fraude en Honduras \|publisher=El Universal \|date=2007-09-08}}</ref>

	===FBI investigations===
	] Criminal Division's Fraud Section revealed that Latin Node Inc., an American company, had illegal dealings with Hondutel executives<ref></ref>		] Criminal Division's Fraud Section revealed that Latin Node Inc., an American company, had illegal dealings with Hondutel executives<ref></ref>

	=== Honduran investigations ===
	The affair was later reported in Honduran media.<ref></ref> Marcelo Chimirri prosecuted journalists who published the corruption scandal.<ref></ref>.		The affair was later reported in Honduran media.<ref></ref> Marcelo Chimirri prosecuted journalists who published the corruption scandal.<ref></ref>.

	One of Chimirri's targets, ] was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison for releasing the story. His civil rights were also suspended, including the right to vote, administration of property, taking on a public function and parental rights or authority.<ref></ref>		One of Chimirri's targets, ] was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison for releasing the story. His civil rights were also suspended, including the right to vote, administration of property, taking on a public function and parental rights or authority.<ref></ref>

	An unknown individual posted various recordings of high government officials on ], including of the President ], implicating them in a corruption scandal concerning Hondutel<ref></ref>. After Zelaya made a complaint to the police they launched an investigation to find who had made the recordings, which are considered ] and a violation of Honduras' privacy laws, that included searching the ~~mansion~~ of the now ex-] of Hondutel, ] and searching both his office at Hondutel and those of other members of staff<ref></ref>, the former was an action condemned by Zelaya<ref></ref>. On ]. As of ], 2007 Marcelo Chimirri resigned from his post as CEO of Hondutel, without a substitute being named. On January 24, 2008 the ] embassy confirmed that Chimirri would not be allowed to enter the US.<ref></ref>		An unknown individual posted various recordings of high government officials on ], including of the President ], implicating them in a corruption scandal concerning Hondutel<ref></ref>. After Zelaya made a complaint to the police they launched an investigation to find who had made the recordings, which are considered ] and a violation of Honduras' privacy laws, that included searching the home of the now ex-] of Hondutel, ] and searching both his office at Hondutel and those of other members of staff<ref></ref>, the former was an action condemned by Zelaya<ref></ref>. On ]. As of ], 2007 Marcelo Chimirri resigned from his post as CEO of Hondutel, without a substitute being named. On January 24, 2008 the ] embassy confirmed that Chimirri would not be allowed to enter the US.<ref></ref>

	Police raided Chimirri's residence in November 2007 and found illegal weapons, including two Thompson submachine guns and a 30 mm rifle.<ref></ref>

	In May 2009, U.S. Attorney General ] decided to release the names of officials A, B, and C. Honduran investigators were going to visit the United States to seek evidence collected by the United States.<ref></ref>		In May 2009, U.S. Attorney General ] decided to release the names of officials A, B, and C. Honduran investigators were going to visit the United States to seek evidence collected by the United States.<ref></ref>

Revision as of 01:39, 9 December 2009

Hondutel logo

Hondutel (or the Empresa Hondureña de Telecomunicaciones), is Honduras' government owned telecommunications company. It has a monopoly on international calls.

For unknown reasons, half of Hondutel's revenues disappeared after Manuel Zelaya came to power. FBI investigations retrieved evidence of large-scale corruption in Hondutel and the company has been investigated by Honduran prosecutors since 2007.

History

The organization was created on May 7, 1976, as an autonomous organization responsible for the moderization of Honduras' telecommunication system, and to achieve a better efficiency in its administration and profitability.

Recent Milestones

On June 19 2007, Hondutel launched its first of a series of Personal Communications Services (PCS) networks.

Tegucel has come to compete with companies such as Luxembourg's Millicom and Mexico's juggernaut América Móvil. Tegucel is intended to become a cost-effective alternative to the current services offered by the other wireless operators.

On October 19, 2007, Sulacel was launched. It is a PCS network for the Honduran Northwest's Sula Valley including the cities of San Pedro Sula, La Lima, Villanueva and surrounding communities.

Hondutel launched its third PCS operation with Ceibacel on December 14, 2007 in La Ceiba.

Corruption Scandal

Manuel Zelaya appointed his nephew Marcelo Chimirri in charge of the state-owned Hondutel.

On May 8, 2006, Chimirri attacked Octavio Carvajal, a journalist who had raised embarrassing questions. Chimirri reportedly grabbed Carvajal by the throat and said "I am not intimidating you because I am not someone who makes threats - I act and I execute... the president’s office is irritated by all the questions you have been asking."

FBI Criminal Division's Fraud Section revealed that Latin Node Inc., an American company, had illegal dealings with Hondutel executives

The affair was later reported in Honduran media. Marcelo Chimirri prosecuted journalists who published the corruption scandal..

One of Chimirri's targets, Renato Alvarez was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison for releasing the story. His civil rights were also suspended, including the right to vote, administration of property, taking on a public function and parental rights or authority.

An unknown individual posted various recordings of high government officials on YouTube, including of the President Mel Zelaya, implicating them in a corruption scandal concerning Hondutel. After Zelaya made a complaint to the police they launched an investigation to find who had made the recordings, which are considered espionage and a violation of Honduras' privacy laws, that included searching the home of the now ex-CEO of Hondutel, Marcelo Chimirri and searching both his office at Hondutel and those of other members of staff, the former was an action condemned by Zelaya. On November 14. As of December 1, 2007 Marcelo Chimirri resigned from his post as CEO of Hondutel, without a substitute being named. On January 24, 2008 the United States embassy confirmed that Chimirri would not be allowed to enter the US.

In May 2009, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder decided to release the names of officials A, B, and C. Honduran investigators were going to visit the United States to seek evidence collected by the United States.

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