US-based telco NII Holdings has said it is exploring strategic options for its operations in Argentina, Chile and Peru. Furthermore, it expect to sell towers in Brazil and Mexico during 2013.
In its preliminary Q4 results released yesterday the telco,…
US-based telco NII Holdings has said it is exploring strategic options for its operations in Argentina, Chile and Peru. Furthermore, it expect to sell towers in Brazil and Mexico during 2013.
In its preliminary Q4 results released yesterday the telco, which operates the Nextel brand, said it was looking at partnerships, service arrangements and asset sales to maximize the value of the Argentinean, Chilean and Peruvian operations and generate additional liquidity.
Last month Chile’s Entel was rumoured to have bid for Nextel Peru.
NII is also pursuing a sale and leaseback of up to 4,500 telecommunication towers that it owns in Brazil and Mexico through a competitive bidding process. It said it is currently evaluating offers from a number of interested parties and expects to complete these transactions during the course of 2013.
In its preliminary full year results NII said it expects to achieve revenues of US$6.1bn for 2012, but projects that 2013 will be more difficult with revenues in the range of US$5.7bn to US$5.9bn.
“We recognize the industry challenges facing our business today, and we are taking steps to fortify the company’s operations to generate long-term growth and profitability,” said interim CEO Steve Shindler.
NII operates in a total of five Latin American markets. In Argentina it has 1.4 million devices in use, 1.4 million again in Peru and less than 100,000 in Chile, dating back to its 2011 annual report.
Nextel Peru generated US$354m revenues for 2011, Nextel Argentina made US$649m, while Nextel Chile brought in an insignificant amount.
