AT&T, Telmex express interest in Ecuador auction

QUITO, Ecuador—According to Conatel, Ecuador’s national telecom regulator, AT&T and Mexico’s Telmex have expressed a formal interest in Ecuador’s upcoming April auction of three wireless telecommunications bands.

At least six companies, including AT&T, Peru’s Telefonica, Telmex, Bell Canada, Entel SA and Ecuador Telecom have shown an interest in the wireless networks. Conatel said it hopes to grant three local wireless networks, one or two bands for mobile services, and to lure private investments in fixed-line telephone services during 2002.