DENVER-VeloCom Inc., which recently won mirror licenses to operate competitive telecommunications networks in Brazil, said today it has acquired the Latin American assets of Argentina-based SLI Wireless S.A. and Brazil-based Taquari Participacoes S.A. in return for stock. The move gives VeloCom interests in telecommunications companies in Argentina and Colombia, as well as expands its holdings in Brazil.
With this acquisition, VeloCom now holds SLI’s interests in two Argentine data transmission companies-Telelatina S.A. and Smartel S.A., as well as SLI’s indirect interest in Interloop S.A., a Colombian license holding company. These holdings give VeloCom licenses to offer wireless services in Argentina and Colombia, said the company.
In addition, it will acquire SLI and Taquari’s interests in Canbra Telefonica and Megatel do Brasil, the two VeloCom affiliates developing the mirror networks in Brazil. Canbra and Megatel recently began branding their products and services under the common name of Vesper. VeloCom’s partners in Vesper are Bell Canada International and Qualcomm Inc.
VeloCom, which originally began operations in June 1998 under the name WLL International Inc., says its goal is to become the largest competitive telecommunications provider in Latin America.
