Latin America
According to The Strategis Group, privatization in Latin America is driving fixed-line growth as privatized operators build out networks to meet license requirements, while competition is propelling even higher rates of growth in cellular and personal communications services. The report, “Latin America Telecommunications Indicators,” said the average revenue per user in Latin America decreased from $97 in 1997 to $64 in 1998, while in Europe and the United States, ARPUs declined by $5 and $2, respectively. The large decrease, said the report, was due primarily to the increase of prepaid users for Mexico’s Telmex and Iusacell, and declining service prices in many markets.
Zimbabwe
Brightpoint Inc. commenced operations in Zimbabwe under an agreement with Net*One, a division of Post and Telecommunications Corp. based in Harare, Zimbabwe, said the company. Brightpoint Zimbabwe will provide various services necessary to support a prepaid wireless communications system for Net*One, which is authorized to install, operate and maintain a cellular telephony network in Zimbabwe.
Brazil
CellStar Corp. said it has agreed to distribute prepaid mobile phone cards for BCP S.A., which holds the B-band mobile communications license in Brazil within Region 1, including the capital city of Sao Paulo. CellStar agreed in February to be the primary distributor of prepaid phone cards for BCP in northeastern Brazil.
China
Nokia Corp. and Zhejiang Mobile Communications Co. Ltd. announced they signed a $30 million agreement to expand ZMCC’s Global System for Mobile communications network in China. Nokia said it will deliver base station controllers and base stations to ZMCC. In addition, a range of customer services, including implementation, network planning and help-desk support will be supplied. Deliveries will begin during this month and the expansion is expected to be operational at the end of August. ZMCC’s network covers the Wenzhou and Taizhou regions, as well as the city of Ningbo.
