TowerXchange recently sat down with Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO of Atis Group, to discuss the company's ambitious plans for growth and innovation in the Southern Cone. As a leading independent Towerco in Latin America, Atis is focused on expanding its presence in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, three of the region's most promising yet untapped markets. In this exclusive interview, Blanco shares insights on Atis' strategy for scaling through 5G deployment, sustainable infrastructure, and strategic acquisitions, as well as the company’s vision to become one of the top 5 Towercos in the industry.
TowerXchange: What is Atis Group's main focus, and how does its growth impact the Southern Cone region?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group
Atis is currently a leading independent regional Towerco, ranked among the top 10 in the industry, with an ambitious goal of reaching the top 5. Our primary focus is the Southern Cone region—comprising Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay—one of the least explored and most promising markets in Latin America. In this region, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) hold a significant number of towers available for sale, while consolidation has yet to take place, creating a unique opportunity for growth. Demand for infrastructure expansion is rapidly increasing, driven by both the need for enhanced coverage and the ongoing digital transformation.
TowerXchange: Atis has significantly expanded its presence in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. What are your future expansion plans in these markets?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
Our growth strategy is a balanced mix of inorganic and organic initiatives. Inorganic growth is driven by Sale & Leaseback transactions with MNOs, while our organic approach focuses on expanding our portfolio through new tower construction (BTS) and securing additional contracts for colocation on existing towers. This dual approach positions Atis for sustainable, long-term growth in an evolving market.
TowerXchange: How are you adapting your infrastructure to support the rollout of 5G networks in the region, and what challenges have you encountered so far?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
Our portfolio of sites is strategically designed to support the rapid growth of 5G in the region. Our urban sites are situated in high-traffic areas, ensuring optimal coverage and connectivity where demand is highest. These sites have been carefully planned to integrate seamlessly into their surroundings, minimizing visual impact while maintaining robust infrastructure capable of supporting future growth. With high equipment-bearing capacity and flexibility for expansion, our sites are fully equipped to accommodate the evolving needs of next-generation technologies.
TowerXchange: In terms of sustainability, what measures is Atis taking to reduce the environmental impact of its telecommunications tower projects?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
Atis is deeply committed to sustainability and works proactively to minimize the environmental impact of its telecommunications tower projects. Our approach includes several key measures aimed at reducing our ecological footprint while ensuring the efficient expansion of telecommunications infrastructure:
Eco-efficient tower design: Our towers are designed with a focus on minimising material usage and maximising spatial efficiency, reducing their carbon footprint from the construction phase onward.
Low visual impact: We prioritise designs that blend seamlessly with their surroundings, reducing the visibility of towers and minimising the external appearance of operator equipment and cabling to lessen visual disruption.
Energy-efficient technology: Our tower and base station (BTS) projects incorporate energy-efficient technologies, including low-power telecom equipment and advanced cooling systems, to reduce energy consumption and minimise environmental impact.
Ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement: We have implemented a robust environmental monitoring system that tracks the impact of our operations throughout their lifecycle. This system helps us identify areas for improvement and ensures we continuously enhance our sustainability practices.
Through these initiatives, Atis not only aims to optimise operational efficiency but also ensures that our infrastructure development is aligned with the highest sustainability standards, fostering the responsible growth of telecommunications in the region.
TowerXchange: How many sites does Atis currently have in the Southern Cone, and what are your long-term goals for expansion in this area?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
Atis currently manages a portfolio of over 700 sites across the region. We are on track to expand this number to more than 1,000 sites within the next 12 months and are poised to reach 1,200–1,300 sites by the end of 2026. This growth is a key part of our strategic vision to strengthen our presence and capacity in the region.
TowerXchange: Atis has made strategic acquisitions in the region. What criteria do you use to evaluate potential future acquisitions?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
Our acquisition criteria prioritise several key factors to ensure strategic and financial alignment, including:
Anchor tenant risk and contract terms: We carefully evaluate the stability and financial health of anchor tenants, as well as the terms and duration of their contracts, to assess the long-term reliability of cash flows.
Colocation tenant diversity and contract terms: We seek portfolios with a diverse mix of colocation tenants and strong contract terms that enhance revenue stability and reduce tenant concentration risk.
Acquisition size: We consider the scale of the acquisition to ensure it aligns with our growth objectives and operational capacity, balancing size with strategic fit.
Portfolio overlap: We assess how the new portfolio complements and integrates with our existing assets, with a focus on geographic overlap and operational synergies that drive efficiencies.
Colocation growth potential: We prioritise portfolios with significant potential for colocation expansion, identifying opportunities to add tenants and increase revenue per site.
Regulatory compliance: We ensure that all sites within the portfolio comply with relevant local regulations, zoning laws, and environmental standards to mitigate potential risks and delays.
Technical condition of the portfolio: The quality and maintenance of the infrastructure are critical, including the condition of towers, backhaul, and supporting systems, as we look for portfolios that are well-maintained and have the capacity to support future upgrades, including next-gen technologies like 5G.
By focusing on these criteria, we aim to acquire portfolios that provide strong, sustainable growth opportunities, enhance operational efficiency, and align with our long-term strategic goals.
TowerXchange: What advantages does Atis offer its clients compared to other telecommunications infrastructure companies?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
At Atis, we take great pride in applying an entrepreneurial mindset to how we conduct our business, driving innovation through creative and flexible business models. These include infrastructure sharing among multiple operators, deploying high-capacity tower typologies tailored for urban centers, and forging real estate agreements with municipalities. This strategy distinguishes Atis in the market by optimizing resource utilization, accelerating deployment, and reducing costs for telecom operators.
Our scalable model allows us to quickly and competitively respond to customer needs, particularly when it comes to monetising tower assets through Sale and Leaseback agreements. We are focused on expanding regionally, tapping into neighboring markets with stable economies, and emerging opportunities in the independent Towerco sector. This approach not only diversifies our revenue streams but also leverages our differentiated offering to better serve regional telecom players.
Building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with telecom operators is central to our values. We are committed to delivering exceptional customer service, offering flexibility, and responding swiftly to meet our clients' evolving needs.
Atis is led by its founding partners, who bring over 25 years of commercial experience in working with telecom operators and developing telecom networks, ensuring a deep understanding of industry dynamics and a customer-centric approach to growth.
TowerXchange: How do you see the telecommunications tower market in the Southern Cone over the next five years, and what role will Atis play in this growth?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
Macroeconomic stability in the Southern Cone is steadily improving, with Paraguay achieving investment-grade status in 2024, joining Uruguay, which has maintained this status for several years. Meanwhile, Argentina is undergoing a significant structural transformation under its new government. These favorable economic trends, combined with the growing need to expand digital inclusion, are expected to drive substantial growth in cellular and fiber networks across the region. Additionally, the rollout of 5G technology is poised to be a major catalyst for industry expansion.
We forecast the addition of over 4,000 new tower sites and more than 5,000 new colocations over the next five years, driven by rising demand for enhanced connectivity, broadband access, and the broader digital economy.
TowerXchange: What role does technological innovation play in Atis' strategy to remain competitive in the industry?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that ensure seamless deployments for our customers, foster long-lasting relationships with landowners, and facilitate faster approvals from municipalities regulating our installations. By combining technological innovation with commercial agility, we are able to swiftly address challenges and adapt to new business models. This flexibility and speed are central to our growth strategy, enabling us to stay ahead in a dynamic market and deliver exceptional value to all stakeholders involved.
TowerXchange: How does Atis balance business needs with its commitments to health, safety, and social responsibility in infrastructure projects?
Juan Pablo Blanco, CEO, Atis Group:
Atis strikes a balance between its business objectives and its commitments to health, safety, and social responsibility by integrating these values into every stage of our infrastructure projects. We prioritise the well-being of our people and the communities in which we operate, ensuring that our commercial success aligns with positive social and environmental impact.
If you're interested in learning more about the telecom landscape in the Southern Cone, download our LATAM Regional Guide for deeper insights and analysis.
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