A new carrier was announced in Brazil last week. On Telecom will begin its operations backed by billionaire financier George Soros. The new competitor, which is targeting a niche in the Brazilian market, will offer home and office connections over TD-LTE. On Telecom is backed by investments of about U.S.$218 million (R$500 million) over the next three years. Soros is set to invest at least U.S.$150 million, giving him a majority stake in the teleco, which began trials in March. Over the next few years, On Telecom aims to reach 133 cities in the countryside of São Paulo.
Mexican telecom market: During the first half of 2013, the telecommunications industry in Mexico has generated a total of U.S$16.579 billion, showing an annual growth of 7.7%. Measured in local currency, the revenue generated by Mexican telecommunications totals $211.594 billion pesos, 3.7% higher than that observed in the same period of 2012.
The local consulting and market research firm Competitive Intelligence Unit (CIU) noted that during the second quarter, the sector showed a marked dynamism that led its growth to 12.9% compared to 2Q12, bringing revenue $8.513 billion, reflecting increased adoption and high productivity of services telecommunications, which have managed to cross into the national economy.
More news from Latin American region:
- Sky launches LTE. Another carrier has announced an LTE launch in Brazil. DirecTV’s Sky is offering broadband Internet services using TD-LTE technology in Franca in the São Paulo countryside. The company already offers LTE in the 2.5 GHz in the country’s capital, Brasíla.
- NII Holdings announced a deal to sell approximately 2,790 towers in Brazil and 1,666 towers in Mexico to American Tower for approximately $811 million.
- Chilean telecom regulator Subtel has opened public consultation for regulations aimed at setting minimum quality standards for telecom service providers.
- Chilean Entel posted a net profit of U.S.$148.27 million (CLP 75.618 million) in the first half of this year, representing a drop of 21% compared with the same period of 2012.
- Venezuela’s telecom market posted an increase of 6.68% in investment during the 2Q13, according to Conatel.
- A new report from Pyramid Research found that Peru’s national broadband plan and the related U.S.$350 million project to build a nationwide fiber-optic backbone will be the major driver for broadband growth. Total broadband lines are projected to double from 1.6 million in 2013 to 2.8 million in 2018.
- BlackBerry World launched an application store for Brazilian consumers, focused on BlackBerry® Z10 and BlackBerry® Q10.
- Digicel is applying for a mobile license in the Bahamas.
- The Cuban government is now allowing citizens to access the Internet; however, use is limited.
- Paraguay’s Copaco posted earnings of U.S.$1.3 million in the first half of 2013.
- Number portability was approved in Honduras. According to the rules, starting October 1, users will be allowed to change service providers while still keeping their original mobile numbers.
Be sure not to miss what’s happening in Latin America’s wireless markets. Check out RCR Wireless News wrap ups.
