Telecom Italia is in advanced talks to buy a stake in Digitel, a wireless operator in Venezuela, according to a Reuters report.
Digitel, a GSM 900 MHz operator, is the country’s third-largest wireless carrier.
The report cited sources saying Telecom Italia could take a stake in three cellular operators in the country, including regional GSM carriers Elca and Infonet, as well as Digitel.
Telecom Italia earlier this year won a wireless license in Peru for US$180 million and plans to offer GSM service there. The 20-year renewable nationwide 1900 MHz personal communications services (PCS) license includes an obligation to service at least nine cities outside Lima within the next two years.
The report also said Venezuela plans to offer another cellular telephone license, the country’s sixth, this year.
Telcel BellSouth leads the country’s wireless market with more than 3 million subscribers.
