Mexico: American Tower seals deal with Mexican fibre firm
American Tower signed a deal to acquire KIO Networks’ Mexican subsidiary for an approximate US$500mn. KIO Networks owns over 50,000 concrete poles and 3,300km of fibre optic lines across Mexico’s key cities.
Mexico: Canadian Tower One to acquire Mexican infrastructure firm
Tower One Wireless has signed a letter of intent for the acquisition of an undisclosed Mexican tower company. According to Tower One’s press release the deal is for a Mexican-based tower company, which owns, builds and leases cellular towers to the telecom industry in Mexico, includes a master lease agreement with AT&T.
Mexico: IFT revokes Zero Rate ban
The Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) has removed the ban imposed to Telcel back in 2014 with regards to the fees charged to other MNOs for termination services on its network. The initiative was known as Zero Rate and will be replaced by new interconnection rates as of January 2018. In fact, Telcel will pay a fee of US$0.01 per minute to terminate calls on other operators’ networks while its competitors will be charged US$0.002 per minute for calls terminating on its network.
Brazil: China Telecom in talks with Oi
China Telecom is reportedly partnering with TPG Capital to take over a controlling stake in Brazilian Oi. According to Reuters, China Telecom has offered to build a fibre network that will reach more than 2,000 municipalities across Brazil and provide around US$1.6bn to cover the outstanding regulatory fines.
Brazil, Peru, Chile and Argentina: Telefónica finalises first tranche of KKR deal
Telefónica has finalised the transfer of a 24.8% stake in Telxius to U.S. fund KKR for a total value of €790,5mn. The deal follows the announcement made by Telefónica in February regarding the agreement with KKR for the transfer of a stake up to 40% in Telxius (valued at €1.27bn). The remaining 15.2% should be transferred before the end of 2017.
Argentina: Tower One invests in Argentine towers
Tower One Wireless has put down to a US$315,000 deposit to acquire fifteen towers in Argentina. The sites are expected to cost a total of approximately US$1.05mn.
