TIM Brasil’s gross revenue fell 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter of 2013 and decreased 2.2% year-over-year for 2014. However, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased 6.4% in 2014 when compared to the previous year. During Q4, EBITDA increased 4% compared to Q4 2013. Net income increased 2.7% year-over-year in 2014; with the total percentage pushed back by the 7.7% net income decline in Q4.
Commenting on the financial results, Rodrigo Abreu, TIM Brasil’s president, recognized that the carrier faces a challenging scenario, but emphasized that TIM has demonstrated its capacity to deliver results, based on the innovative development of new offers and intense infrastructure investment. Abreu reiterated that the company is committed to the Brazilian market and will keep investing, despite telecom consolidation rumors.
4G in Ecuador – Movistar (Otecel S.A.) and Claro (Conecel S.A.) signed contracts with Ecuador’s government for additional spectrum to deploy LTE in the country. Movistar is to receive an additional 50 megahertz of spectrum, while Claro was assigned 60 megahertz – part of which will be used to improve 3G coverage. Both carriers paid a total of $300 million to use the spectrum until 2023. State-owned CNT has been offering LTE in Guayaquil and the capital city of Quito since March 2014, and recently announced plans to expand into the western province of Santa Elena.
More news from the Latin American region:
Argentina – Telecom Argentina’s revenue increased 22.2% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, with net income surging 14.7%. The company, which owns Personal, ended the year with 22.1 million mobile subscribers, down from the 22.5 million subscribers it had at the end of 2013.
Region – Telefónica announced the launch of its machine-to-machine partner program covering Latin America. About 500 partners have reportedly signed up for the service.
Mexico – América Móvil is moving forward with its plan to spin-off cellphone towers. The largest telecom company in Latin America is considered the dominant player in Mexico under the new telecom regulations.
Bahamas – Three companies – Cable Bahamas, Digicel and Virgin Mobile – have submitted proposals to obtain the Bahamas’ second mobile provider’s license. According to local press, the government will partner with the winning bidder and own 51% of the venture.
Region – Virgin Mobile is teaming up with cloud-based predictive analytics company, Razorsight, to bring advanced analytics to its Latin American customers. In a statement, Peter Macnee, VMLA CEO, said the carrier is adding well over 100,000 new subscribers per month.
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