Americas and Europe: Telefónica divests data centres
Telefónica has reached an agreement with Asterion Industrial Partners to sell eleven data centres for €550mn. The facilities are located in Spain, Brazil, the U.S., Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina.
Argentina: Claro to connect 250 rural communities with satellite
Claro has inked a deal with Comtech Telecommunications Corp to connect more than 250 rural communities across Argentina with high-speed 2G/3G and LTE backhaul, using satellite backhaul solutions and enabling signal for hundreds of thousands of Claro’s subscribers
Argentina: Telecom granted US$300mn loan
IDB Invest and Telecom have sealed a US$300mn package that will enable the MNO to implement its growth plan. Planned investments include HFC cable, fibre-optic and LTE networks.
Argentina: ENACOM awards more 450MHz spectrum for rural connectivity
ENACOM has released 450MHz spectrum to cover 126 rural areas in the provinces of Chubut, Chaco, Catamarca, Jujuy, Mendoza, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Santa Cruz, Santiago del Estero, San Juan, Salta and Tucuman. The initiative will connect 284,916 inhabitants to data services for the very first time. The regulator has already provided 450MHz spectrum to other locations in Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego, Rio Negro, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz earlier this year, as part of the government’s Plan de Conectividad Rural.
Brazil: TIM Brasil to trial 5G with Huawei
Florianopolis will be the first city where Huawei and TIM Brasil will initiate their 5G trials, utilising the 3.5GHz band. 5G will allow the operator to start offering innovative applications for smart cities, virtual reality, IoT and self-driving vehicles among others.
Chile, Peru: Entel announces investments and considers tower sale
Entel is planning to invest US$600mn in 2019, of which US$170mn in Peru and US$430mn in its domestic Chilean operations. Over half of the investment will be allocated to upgrade 4G coverage and capacity across both operations.
Various news sources, including local outlet Diario Financiero, are reporting that Entel Chile is assessing the sale of its tower portfolio. The company has also denied the rumours of a potential sale of its Peruvian unit, where the company plans to continue expanding its footprint.
Colombia: Mintic prepares for spectrum auction
Colombia’s Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (Mintic) has invited companies to officially express their interest in competing in the auctions for the 700MHz, 1.9GHz and 2.5GHz bands, designed to bring quality 4G connectivity to rural regions and pave the way for 5G.
Mintic is looking to auction a total of 70MHz in the 700MHz band, plus 5MHz more in the 1.9GHz band in the fourth quarter of the year but hasn’t yet specified a date for the 2.5GHz tender.
Guatemala: Election will delay spectrum auction
Cristian Aguilar, Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Communications, has stated that the country’s planned auction of 1700MHz AWS frequencies in June 2019 will be delayed by the country’s general election, taking place on 16 June.
Ecuador: Digital Ecuador strategy announced
The Minister of Telecoms and Information Society has recently released the government’s plan to reach 98% connectivity in the country by 2023. The plan includes the installation of Wi-Fi hotspots and offering most government services online, among others.
El Salvador: América Móvil’s paperwork for TEF deal rejected
América Móvil is planning to re-file the paperwork for the takeover of Telefónica’s operations in El Salvador, following the rejection of the local regulator. The deal is valued at US$315mn.
Peru: New rules for leasing spectrum published
The local government has released a set of new regulations that allow companies holding spectrum license to lease access to frequencies to licensed third parties. The new Decree (015-2019-MTC) sets the rules to lease spectrum and the initiative aims at enhancing competition and an efficient use of the spectrum.
Uruguay: Antel launches first 5G network in CALA
Last month, Uruguay’s state-owned ANTEL successfully launched the first 5G commercial network in Latin America. In partnership with Nokia, Antel is offering 5G in the Barra de Manantiales area, Maldonado Department, where the first 5G base stations are operational and ready to provide services. The operator plans to expand 5G radio in the rest of Uruguay, while the 5G services for telephone and other devices will begin to be commercialized within the next month.
