InGenio Journal

Prospects for Telecommunications Toward 5G Networks in the City of Portoviejo

Kevin Leonardo Moreira Arteaga — 2026-07-09

The absence of 5G infrastructure in Portoviejo limits its regional competitiveness and contradicts the universal connectivity objectives of the Ecuadorian State. This research designed a progressive 5G RAN network deployment strategy through applied engineering in two phases: a technical-regulatory audit based on the ARCOTEL registry and municipal ordinances, followed by the architectural design of the transition from NSA Option 3x to SA Option 2, in accordance with international standards. The results showed a coverage gap of 31% and the lack of operational 5G nodes, although the 448 existing 4G eNodeBs could be reused as NSA anchors. However, current municipal regulations generate implementation cycles between 2 and 4 times slower than in countries such as Brazil and Colombia. The study proposes a five-year roadmap and a replicable methodology for municipal GADs, offering an executable framework for the modernization of local public policy.

Content Factors Associated With the Critical Success of Video Games on Steam: An Interpretative Analysis Using Canonical Biplot

Ariosto Vicuña Pino — 2026-07-09

Steam platform accounts for a large share of activity in the PC video game market, making it a key environment for studying the factors associated with game performance. Recent research has linked reviews, player activity, price, and language availability to popularity, although predictive approaches with limited interpretive capacity still predominate. The objective of this study is to determine which content-related factors are associated with critical success on the Steam platform, as measured by Metacritic. This study employed an observational, correlational, quantitative, and cross-sectional design. A non-probability sample was constructed using annual quota sampling and then filtered based on the availability of Metacritic ratings. Data were obtained through web scraping and analyzed under the CRISP-DM methodology using the Canonical Biplot technique. The results show that player interaction variables reviews, concurrent players, and positive reviews constitute the main differentiating axis. In addition, participation-related variables predominate in recent games, whereas achievements, additional features, and Downloadable Content (DLC) carry greater weight in older games. The main contribution of this study is to provide a visual and interpretive explanation of the factors associated with the critical success of video games on the Steam platform, showing that player interaction metrics carry greater weight than several structural product characteristics, and that this relationship changes between older and more recent games.

Experimental Study of Defect Detection in Photovoltaic Panels Using Electroluminescence

Franklin Mauricio Gómez López — 2026-07-09

This study presents an experimental investigation of defect detection in monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic panels using electroluminescence imaging. Twelve modules with varying levels of degradation, deployed in rural Andean installations, were evaluated through visual inspection and automatic analysis based on convolutional neural networks. The methodology included manual defect segmentation and the application of a U-Net model for automatic classification of structural and electrical anomalies. Results showed that fractures and inactive areas were more frequent in monocrystalline panels, whereas potential-induced degradation (PID) and discoloration were mainly observed in polycrystalline ones. The comparison between manual inspection and the automated model demonstrated high performance in detecting discrete defects such as cracks and busbars, although lower accuracy was obtained for diffuse anomalies like PID. Spatial analysis of defect maps revealed the clustering of certain fault types within cell regions, highlighting the importance of considering spatial correlations in future detection algorithms. These findings support the development of targeted preventive maintenance strategies and reinforce the potential of semantic segmentation as a diagnostic tool for photovoltaic modules.

Regulatory Gaps in Water and Sanitation in Ecuador: Application of the WASHREG Methodology

Sara Brigitte Barbosa Santacruz — 2026-07-09

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Ecuador is limited in terms of quality, coverage, and regulatory effectiveness, as evidenced by the fact that 29,9% of the population lacks access to safe water and 14,1% lacks basic sanitation. Therefore, this study aims to analyze gaps in the sector’s regulation through the application of the WASHREG approach. The research was conducted using a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical approach, involving a review of current regulations, institutional reports, and specialized literature, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with five experts from the academic, technical, and institutional sectors. The results show that, although the country has a comprehensive regulatory framework and a well-established regulatory body, gaps persist in implementation during the monitoring, control, and enforcement phases. Deficiencies were identified in areas such as consumer protection and public health, with the greatest impact felt in rural areas. The report concludes that the main problem lies in regulatory governance rather than in the absence of regulations; therefore, it recommends strengthening oversight mechanisms, improving information management, and promoting regulatory adjustments to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the service.

Design of Braking and Mechanical Locking Systems in Industrial Machinery to Minimize Risks During Maintenance Tasks

Luis Fernando Jácome Alarcón — 2026-07-09

This study aims to evaluate the performance of braking and mechanical locking systems applied to industrial machinery in order to establish technical criteria that enhance safety during maintenance tasks. A controlled experimental design was implemented, measuring variables such as stopping time, post-lock residual angle, and structural deformation in three mechanisms: disc brake, locking pin, and ratchet system. Results showed significant differences among the evaluated mechanisms. The disc brake demonstrated higher efficiency in stopping time, while the locking pin ensured absolute immobilization with minimal structural deformation. Statistical analysis confirmed the influence of the mechanism type on system performance. This study provides technical guidelines for selecting and designing braking and locking systems according to operational conditions, contributing to risk reduction in industrial environments.

Analysis of the relationship between CPI and GDP per capita in Ecuador (2000–2024): A statistical modeling and prediction approach

Walter Joffred Jácome Vélez — 2026-07-09

This study analyzes the relationship between the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and GDP per capita in Ecuador during the 2000–2024 period, with the aim of developing a predictive statistical model for inflation based on the level of economic activity. A quantitative approach and data analysis tools in R were employed, using linear regression and logarithmic transformations to explore the association between the two variables. Preliminary results indicate a positive correlation between economic growth and inflation, consistent with macroeconomic theories such as the Phillips curve. Although this empirical correlation does not imply direct causality, the developed model demonstrates high predictive potential useful for economic monitoring in dollarized economies. This work contributes to strengthening national quantitative analysis through structured, reproducible, and accessible methods for economic decision-making.

Growth and Territorial Concentration of Fixed Broadband Internet in Ecuador: A Provincial Comparison, 2024-2025

Karen Lissette Estacio Corozo — 2026-07-09

This study analyzed the territorial evolution of fixed internet in Ecuador at the provincial level, comparing the June 2024 and June 2025 reporting periods based on official ARCOTEL/SIETEL records. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive-analytical design was applied. The analysis considered absolute growth, relative growth, approximate penetration per inhabitant—accounts per 100 inhabitants based on the 2022 Population and Housing Census—and territorial concentration. For this purpose, the study used accounts assignable to a specific province, excluding non-provincial records identified as “study areas.” Provincial share, CR2, CR4, HHI, Gini coefficient, normalized Entropy, and normalized Theil indicators were calculated; in addition, non-parametric Wilcoxon and Spearman tests were applied. The results showed that all 24 provinces increased their number of fixed internet accounts. However, Guayas and Pichincha continued to account for more than half of the provincial total. Spearman’s correlation indicated that the initial size of the provincial market was positively associated with absolute growth (rho = 0.743; p < 0.001) and negatively associated with relative growth (rho = -0.521; p = 0.009). Likewise, provinces with higher initial penetration tended to capture greater absolute increases (rho = 0.498; p = 0.013). It is concluded that the expansion was widespread, but it reflected heterogeneous territorial diffusion rather than solid provincial convergence.

PV Integration and Emission Offsets in a Campus Data Center: Evidence from Seven Years of Operation

Danny Ochoa-Correa — 2026-07-09

Data centers raise energy and environmental challenges for public and educational institutions. This paper evaluates an institutional data center at the University of Cuenca (Ecuador) supplied in part by a 35 kWp rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system operating without electrical storage since 2018. Seven years of data (2018–2024) were analyzed, including monthly records of electricity consumption, PV generation, and meteorological variables. Renewable-integration indicators are computed (demand coverage and on-site use of PV energy), and avoided CO2 emissions are estimated using official annual grid factors for Ecuador’s national power system, including a sensitivity case for higher carbon intensity. Annual PV generation ranged from 24.3 to 47.3 MWh (34.4 MWh average), while annual data center consumption increased from 63.0 MWh (2018) to 149.3 MWh (2024), with a step change starting in 2020. PV coverage at the shared distribution panel (laboratory + data center) declined from 52.8% (2018) to 23.4% (2023) and 15.6% (2024), driven mainly by demand growth; in 2024, PV output was further reduced by grid outages because anti-islanding protection disconnects a grid-tied, battery-less system. Over 2018–2024, avoided emissions are estimated at 64.9–72.1 tCO2 using national emission factors (0.27–0.30 kg CO2/kWh), and 96.2 tCO2 under a 0.40 kg CO2/kWh scenario. The results support the green data center agenda by informing planning decisions for integrating on-site renewable generation in data centers, with emphasis on finer submetering, energy storage, and PV capacity expansion as digital workloads grow.

Use of Urban Public Spaces in Quito in the Post-Pandemic Context: Spatial Quality, User Perception, and Urban Design

Mauricio Leonel Mendoza Riofrio — 2026-07-09

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant shift in the relationship between society and public space, highlighting its importance as key infrastructure for quality of life in cities. In Quito, a city distinguished by its diverse territorial structure, these transformations manifested differently depending on socio-spatial conditions. This research examines the use of public spaces in the post-pandemic scenario through three aspects: citizen perception, urban design, and spatial quality. A mixed-method, non-experimental, and descriptive study was conducted. The research took place in six representative public spaces across different urban sectors of Quito. Surveys were administered to users over 18 years of age, selected through non-probability convenience sampling, along with semi-structured interviews and systematic direct observation. Changes in frequency of use were detected, increasing from 28% to 46%, with a predominance of recreational activities (32%) and physical exercise (27%), as well as positive assessments of cleanliness, lighting, and safety. Furthermore, users gave high marks to urban amenities (mean = 4.6), variables that determine how space is appropriate. The findings show that usage has intensified, that there is increased sensitivity to quality and safety standards, and that there is a direct connection between urban design and social behavior. It can be inferred that public space has gained renewed centrality in current urban planning, demanding more inclusive, resilient, and user-centered perspectives.