Argentina
Millicom International Cellular (MIC) launched phase one of it service rollout in the Buenos Aires area. Millicom Argentina also will provide wireless Internet services to the country’s most populated cities-Cordoba, Vendozo, Rosario and Tucuman-during 2000.
Teligent and Telcom Ventures launched a point-to-multipoint link in Buenos Aires. The venture integrates Teligent’s technology with radio spectrum in the 24 GHz to 25 GHz band, which was licensed to affiliates of Telcom Ventures.
Brazil
BellSouth acquired 16.5 percent of Tele Centro Oeste Cellular for US$229 million. Through a two-phase acquisition, BellSouth first purchased 11.8 percent of common stock with voting rights in Tele Centro Oeste, followed by American depository receipts or preferred stock, the company said.
Portugal Telecom boosted its stake in Telesp Celular Participa?oes to 29.9 percent from 19 percent for about US$739 million. The offer comprised all Telesp Celular’s ordinary shares not held by Portugal Telecom.
Chile
Leap Wireless completed the sale of Smartcom PCS to Spanish utility Endesa for US$300 million in cash and notes. Chile’s Enersis utility said it will buy 35 percent of Smartcom PCS from Endesa, its parent company, for 35 percent of the original purchase price.
Colombia
BellSouth acquired a 50.35-percent stake in Celum
