AT&T has been tipped as a bidder in Colombia’s upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction with a view to scale up its operations in the country further to the pending acquisition of satellite operator DirecTV.The US telco, which is still awaiting regulatory…
AT&T has been tipped as a bidder in Colombia’s upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction with a view to scale up its operations in the country further to the pending acquisition of satellite operator DirecTV.
The US telco, which is still awaiting regulatory approval for the US$48.5bn deal, is looking to complement its TV offering with mobile services with the aim of becoming a large-scale player in the country, according to a local report.
AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega is due to visit Colombia in June, the report stated.
The Colombian government is due to auction 90 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum, as well as airwaves in the 900 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2.5 GHz bands in August. Its previous 4G auction, which was held in mid 2013, raised US$400m.
The country’s wireless market is dominated by America Movil’s Claro, followed by Telefonica’s Movistar and Millicom’s local unit Tigo.
AT&T’s Colombian expansion plans come as little surprise as, last September, its chief strategy officer John Stankey said the company was “intrigued” by Latin America and would not rule other acquisitions as it sought regulatory approval for its purchase of pan-American DTH operator DirecTV, which holds a 41.3% stake in Sky Mexico.
The telco has carried out an aggressive expansion strategy in Mexico, acquiring the country’s third-largest player Iusacell for US$2.5bn in January and agreeing to buy Nextel Mexico US$1.875bn a few weeks later, as a result of recent regulatory changes aimed to attract foreign investors and foster competition.