Mexico: Telesites’ share price drops 15% since launch
Telesites started trading on December 21 on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) and registered a price drop of approximately 15% during its first week of trade. As of January 4, its share price was MXN$11.24 but it touched lows of MXN$11.03 on
December 28. For the next twelve months, analysts estimate target prices ranging between MXN$7 and MXN$16.65.
Mexico: American Tower MLA with AT&T, which represents more than half Mexican revenues
In their Q3 2015 webcast, American Tower revealed that they had signed a long term MLA with AT&T in Mexico which extends the old Iusacell and Nextel agreements to 14 years and guarantees minimum levels of new business from the AT&T rollout. “AT&T is our biggest customer not only in the U.S., globally, and now also in Mexico,” said Chairman Jim Taiclet during their Q3 2015 results webcast. AT&T represents 60% of AMT’s Mexico revenues, with Telefónica on 20-21%.
Meanwhile, AMT built 230 new sites in Brazil in Q3 2015.
Mexico: IFT approves spectrum swap between AT&T and Movistar
The national telecom regulator IFT has given the green light to the spectrum swap deal between AT&T and Movistar. The deal includes Personal Communications Service (PCS) spectrum in the 1900MHz band and Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum in the 1700MHz/2100MHz. Movistar will also lease 1900MHz spectrum blocks back to AT&T.
Mexico: AT&T and Telcel apply for spectrum auction
AT&T and Telcel are the only two operators bidding for the upcoming Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum auction. According to Telegeography, the auction will include 80MHz worth of 4G-suitable spectrum and will commence on 15 February.
Costa Rica: Sutel to organise new spectrum auction
Telecom regulator Sutel has been instructed by the Minister of Telecommunications Emilio Arias to set up an auction to sell 40MHz in the 1800MHz band and 30MHz in the 1900/2100MHz band that weren’t sold during the 2011 auction. According to El Financiero, only Movistar and Claro will compete in the auction.
Ecuador: New telecom law come into effect
The General Regulation of the Organic Telecommunications Law, issued this past December, came into effect thanks to the executive decree issued by President Rafael Correa. As defined by the law, the Ministry of Telecommunications & Information Society (Mintel) remains the main body in charge of regulatory issues while regulatory body Arcotel monitors their implementation.
Venezuela: Opposition to amend Chavez’s telecom laws
The parliamentary opposition has recently announced their intention to amend the current Telecommunications Law as well as the Law on Communication and Information. The opposition has gained the majority in the National Assembly and is planning to review the laws originally approved by Hugo Chavez in 2010 as “they allow the executive power to extort the private media by planting fear of suspending licenses” as stated by local media Globovision quoting the elected representative, Henry Ramos Allup.
Brazil: Telefónica’s value goes up in 2015
Telefónica’s share price increased by 18.7% in 2015 and Vivo was the only carrier in Brazil to raise its market value last year. The growth is mainly due to its strong infrastructure and high proportion of post-paid customers, according to Brazilian newspaper Valor Econômico.
Brazil: CADE approves infrasharing among carriers
This past December, the Brazilian Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE) approved the infrasharing project presented by TIM Brasil, Vivo, HI Mobile and Claro. The project plans to offer indoor mobile services in malls, airports and other high density areas.
Brazil: TIM appoints Nokia for network upgrade and small cells
TIM Brasil appointed Nokia Networks to upgrade and expand its 3G and 4G networks in various Brazilian states. Nokia Networks has also been selected to provide small cells to the carrier.
Brazil: TIM completes second tranche of tower sale to American Tower
TIM Participações announced it has completed the sale of 1,125 telecom towers to American Tower for US$128.8mn. This is the second batch of towers sold by TIM to American Tower (AMT) after the sale of 4,176 towers for US$473.5mn. TIM will release the final 1,180 towers to AMT over the next few months.
Brazil: Anatel announces winners of spectrum auction
Anatel received around US$190.33mn in bids for its multi-band spectrum auction which assigned remaining frequencies in the 1800MHz, 1900MHz and 2500MHz bands. Among the bidders, Nextel made the largest contribution (approximately US$114mn) for 4G-suitable spectrum in the São Paulo area. Other winning bidders include Vivo, Claro, TIM, TPA Telecomunicações, Lig Telecomunicações, Sercomtel and Clivo Participações. Sky Brazil was the only bidder who apparently didn’t win any spectrum.
Brazil: Telecom Italia opens up to TIM Brasil-Oi merger
Telecom Italia reportedly is ready to discuss with investment firm LetterOne Holding, who has an exclusivity agreement in place with Oi, the potential merger between TIM Brasil and Oi. According to Bloomberg, Telecom Italia initially rejected the deal and is now requesting to retain control of the merged entity as a condition to start the negotiation.
A merger would create the largest carrier in Brazil in terms of subscribers, with around 42% market share.
Chile: WOM achieves 4G coverage targets
WOM has announced the completion of its 4G network, now serving twenty-one towns and cities including Arica, Iquique, Calama, Antofagasta, Copiapo, La Serena, Coquimbo, Ovalle, Valparaiso, Santiago, Rancagua, San Fernando, Curico, Talca, Linares, Concepcion, Temuco, Osorno, Puerto Montt, Valdivia and Punta Arenas.
Chile: Tenders to be issued for the Patagonian fibre project
According to business daily Pulso, telecom regulator Subtel is planning to issue a tender to develop a fibre-optic network in Patagonia. Over US$100mn have already been approved by the Chilean budget office for the public-private initiative.
Argentina: Federal court intervenes in AFTIC-Nextel dispute
The Argentinian telecom regulator, AFTIC, has officially rejected the purchase by Grupo Clarin of a 49% stake in Nextel due to the lack of regulatory approval. In recent news, the Federal Administrative Court N. 9 was reported to have intervened in the dispute by imposing a six-month injunction on the case. Therefore, the case will be reviewed later in 2016 by the new Government led by Mauricio Macri who was elected President in November.
