On 14 November 2016, CS&L, a U.S. based REIT which owns 4.2mn fibre strand miles (6.76mn km), 86 wireless towers, and other communications real estate throughout the United States and Mexico, announced the purchase of 359 towers from NMS for a total value of US$65mn.

Aerolens provides high-resolution 3D models captured by drones to maintain and optimise tower assets

Mexico had an estimated population of 127.8m people and 103.5m mobile subscriptions at the end of 20151, giving a mobile penetration of 81% - relatively low for Latin America and in comparison to many markets around the world. Indeed, all of the other principal countries in Central America have mobile penetration of over 100%. 87% of subscribers in Mexico have a pre-paid account. There are three mobile operators serving the Mexican market (see figure 1), with Telcel (América Móvil) enjoying a dominant position with 70.5m connections and 68% market share, significantly ahead of Movistar (Telefónica) with 24.3m connections (24% share). AT&T has 8.7m connections (8% share).

Opex and efficiency boosted with Enatel Energy’s power solutions

ZTE Infrastructure Auxiliary Product Department (IAP) leverages global project experience and Chinese production capabilities

One of the leading organisations in the distributed network industry, ExteNet Systems, made headlines back in 2015 thanks to its recapitalisation for US$1.4bn. In this interview, ExteNet’s President and CEO, Ross Manire, shares with TowerXchange his views on the evolution and growth potential of the distributed network industry while comparing its investment opportunity and key features with the towerco model.

TowerXchange reports on more action in the Southern Cone. And we aren’t surprised!

From Puerto Rico to Argentina, Balesia will offer BTS services with an eye on acquisitions

From rising debt and infraco rumours to tower sales, merger breakdowns and the upcoming IPO

A high level buyer’s guide from New Street Research

Contrasting towerco pricing and business models reveals diversity of ecosystem

The knee-jerk reaction can be that MNO consolidation lowers the glass ceiling on tenancy ratios and is therefore bad news for towercos – but is that always the case?