BARCELONA, Spain — Telecommunications giant Telefónica said it’s confident about the future growth potential of most of its operations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, coming on the heels of celebrating 25 years of operations in those markets. Speaking to …
Telefónica’s 2014 full-year and fourth-quarter net income slumped 34.7% and 89.5%, respectively, in a year-over-year comparison. Total revenue decreased 11.7% for the full year and 14.1% in Q4 2014. In a statement, Telefónica’s executive chairman César Alierta said that the Q4 …
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 …
América Móvil reports Q4 results América Móvil ended the fourth quarter of 2014 with a 77.8% net profit decline. In its financial report, the company owned by billionaire Carlos Slim claimed that an increase in comprehensive financing costs was caused by unrealized foreign exchange …
Antonio Carlos Valente, the president of Telefónica Vivo, said the company is waiting for a decision from the Administrative Council for Economic Defense before moving forward with integrating GVT’s operations. Telefónica bought GVT last year from the French group Vivendi. Speaking with members of the …
Two big moves by large carriers within a single week will bring big changes to Latin American wireless markets. AT&T’s announcement that it will acquire Nextel Mexico showed how the U.S.-based carrier plans to expand its operations further in the country after its purchase of Iusacell. “AT&T announced …
Even though the use of white space is not regulated in Brazil, the WhiteSpace Alliance is conducting a pilot test to check its availability for potential broadband use. White space is frequency that is assigned for television broadcasting but not fully utilized. …
After the general meeting of Portugal Telecom SGPS shareholders was postponed, Oi said that while it supported the meeting delay, the sale of its stake in PT Portugal to Altice is the best alternative for the company. At the meeting, which …
Colombia’s Communications Regulation Commission announced a reduction in interconnection rates, the fees that telecom operators pay to connect with each other. ICT Minister Diego Molano Vega said the move is part of the government’s effort to promote competition and benefit consumers. Between 2010 and 2014, …
The Brazilian unit of Telecom Italia, TIM, closed a deal with WhatsApp. Under the agreement, TIM Brasil customers who have the post-paid “controle” plan can use WhatsApp without paying for the data consumption used by the over-the-top service. The package costs $10.77 and includes …
With the anticipated end of the U.S. embargo against Cuba, telecommunication services are expected to increase, bringing the country into the 21st century. The general expectation is that Internet access will grow since the U.S. government will start allowing telecommunication companies to set up the …
Argentina’s new telecommunications and information services bill has passed the lower house of congress. The digital bill – which defines new information technology as a public service, broadening the concept of Internet access – drew strong criticism from opposing members, who claim it favors monopolies. The …
Oi’s board of directors has approved the sale of Portugal Telecom shares to Altice. The transaction is estimated at $9.1 billion and involves the transfer of all shares issued by PT Portugal. In a statement released on Dec. 8, Oi said …
Big data solution adoptions in Brazil are being driven by telecom operators and the financial industry. Carlos Cunha, country manager for EMC Brazil, said at a press conference that big data projects increased this year in the country, but the lack of qualified …
After much speculation, Telecom Italia’s board of directors approved an investigation into potentially integrating its Brazilian unit, TIM, with rival operator Oi. Earlier this year, Oi saw its attempt to merge with Portugal Telecom fall apart after Rioforte defaulted on €897 million ($1.12 billion) debt held by Portugal …
After announcing plans to acquire Mexico’s No. 3 mobile operator Iusacell, AT&T looks to be eyeing Nextel Mexico. Speaking at a recent investor conference in New York, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said the company doesn’t need América Móvil’s assets in …
The transformation of the Mexican telecom market has begun, following the passage of reform legislation. AT&T’s $2.5 billion acquisition of the Mexican operator Iusacell has breathed new life into the market. Although it will not reduce the market share of the dominant player …
Argentina auctioned 10 bands of spectrum and raised about $2.23 billion. The bands auctioned were 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, 1.7/2.1 GHz and 700 MHz. The auction focused on increasing the country’s mobile Internet access, including LTE. Four pre-qualified companies bid in the auction: …
Vietnamese-owned Viettel Group last week officially launched its Bitel-branded mobile service in Peru. The operator, the fourth entrant into the market, launched with a 3G network that it said covers 80% of the nation with mobile broadband service. Viettel in …
SÃO PAULO — This year’s Futurecom trade show was bigger than last year’s event with a total of 350 brands in attendance and an expected 15,000 attendees. Two major topics headlined this year Futurecom event: What will happen to Brazilian …
SÃO PAULO — Speaking at this week’s Futurecom event, TIM Brasil CEO Rodrigo Abreu said that the move from voice to data is changing the role of carriers and their future relies on understanding that providing connectivity is only the tip of the …
With an expected investment of $1.2 billion over the next five years, Entel, which bought Nextel Peru in 2013, has begun its new operations in Peru, seeking to stimulate competition in the telecommunications market. The carrier’s investment will focus on network deployment, technology …
SÃO PAULO — While waiting for regulatory approvals of its acquisition of GVT, Telefónica Vivo has not yet disclosed any details about how it will combine brands or make changes following the buyout. However, at this week’s Futurecom event, Antonio Carlos Valente, president of Telefónica …
SAO PAULO – A consortium formed by Brazil’s Algar Telecom, Uruguayan carrier Antel, African cable operator Angola Cables Google is leading the construction of a submarine cable connecting the Brazilian cities of Santos and Fortaleza to Boca Raton, Florida. In addition to the U.S./Brazil cable, …
SAO PAULO – While Brazilian carrier Oi’s future is uncertain, its new CEO, Bayard Gontijo, supports the consolidation of the telecom market in Brazil. Rival operators TIM and Oi have each looked into buying the other, and Oi faces cash problems related …
