QUITO, March 24 (Reuters) - Ecuador's telecommunications

ministry said on Tuesday that Millicom's local unit will invest

$450 million over four years to expand phone infrastructure and

modernize services.

KEY CONTEXT

-- The funds will enable renewal of the mobile network, the

ministry said.

-- The investment is additional to payments agreed in November

2025 for radio spectrum use. Ecuador secured $880 million

through contract renewals with America Movil and Millicom

through 2038, with $610 million paid before the end of 2025.

-- Earlier this month, Telecommunications Minister Roberto Kury

announced a $600 million investment by America Movil in the

country over three years for technological infrastructure.