AT&T is reportedly talking with Telesites to lease Mexico towers
AT&T’s push into Mexico is reportedly set to include a tower agreement with rival America Móvil’s recently spun off Telesites business.
Bloomberg recently reported that the two companies were in talks over a leasing agreement that would provide AT&T with access to Telesites approximately 11,000 cell sites.
“Our priority is to begin work to expand our network and enhance our mobile Internet offering,” AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook said in an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg. “As we assess our options, we expect fair pricing, an expedited process, and efficient access similar to other tower companies.”
America Móvil spun off the Telesites business in April following the recent passing of telecom reform legislation in Mexico designed to lessen America Móvil’s domination of the telecom market. Telesites competes locally with American Tower, Crown Castle and SBA Communications.
AT&T’s entrance into the Mexico market has been highlighted by its recent $2.5 billion purchase of Iusacell and $1.875 billion purchase of Nextel Mexico. AT&T said it plans to combine those operations into one unit “focused on bringing more choices, better service and faster mobile Internet speeds to more locations throughout Mexico.”
To help gain regulatory approval in Latin America, AT&T sold off its small interest in América Móvil, which operates across a number of Latin American countries and also owns domestic wireless reseller TracFone Wireless.
Analysts had noted that AT&T’s Mexico operations control more than 70 megahertz of nationwide spectrum with 90 megahertz in some markets. AT&T said it plans to invest in bolstering its Mexico operations, which currently do not include LTE services, without specifically stating plans for LTE.
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