Carlos Slim

AT&T begins forming US/Mexico single North American service area

US operator AT&T has announced unlimited calls at no additional cost to all Mexican numbers as part of its international World Connect Value offering. This follows AT&T’s finalised $2.5 billion acquisition of Mexican Iusacell last week, and could be the first sign of the US telco’s previously stated plan to create a single North American service area covering the US and Mexico.

Televisa closes Iucasell stake sale, acquires Telecable

Mexican broadcaster Grupo Televisa has acquired telco firm Telecable, the trading name of Cablevision Red, for MXN3 billion. Coinciding with the acquisition, the conglomerate also announced the closing of the sale of its 50% stake in Iucasell to the operator’s other owner Grupo Salinas.

AT&T to acquire Mexico’s Iusacell

AT&T has announced it has agreed to acquire Iusacell from Grupo Salinas for $2.5 billion, including the mobile operator’s debt, all wireless properties and its 8.6 million subscribers. However, the transaction will only take place once Grupo Salinas has finalised its purchase of 50% of Iusacell that it currently doesn’t own.

SoftBank eyeing up América Móvil wireless assets – report

SoftBank is considering buying the wireless assets of Carlos Slim-owned América Móvil, according to a report. Apparently the Japanese tech giant has asked US subsidiary firm Sprint’s CEO Marcelo Claure to gather information on the business up for sale on its behalf.

América Móvil announces asset sale to placate Mexican regulators

Mexican telco giant América Móvil has announced it will dispose of a bunch of its Mexican assets in order reduce its overall share of the Mexican mobile market, and thus avoid special regulatory restriction that have come into effect on the back of new laws.

AT&T flogs America Movil stake

US carrier AT&T has offloaded an 8.27 per cent stake, worth around $5.6bn, in Latin American operation America Movil, as it seeks to fund its acquisition of DirecTV. The America Movil shares were snapped up by the company’s billionaire owner, Carlos Slim, via his holding company Inmobiliaria Carso.

Telekom Austria parts with CFO after America Movil conflict

Operator group Telekom Austria has parted ways with group chief financial officer Hans Tschuden. His exit appears to be over a conflict with the operator’s Works Council concerning Latin American operator group America Movil, which recently increased its shareholding in the firm.

Telekom Austria CEO foresees increased foreign investment in Europe

The CEO of Telekom Austria, Hannes Ametsreiter, has told Telecoms.com that he expects to see increased investment in the European telecom sector and that some European telcos might see their headquarters shift outside of the region as a result. Telekom Austria is itself part owned by Mexican billionaire and America Movil CEO Carlos Slim, who is reportedly keen to take full ownership of the Austrian incumbent.

Slim raises stake in Telekom Austria

Latin American operator group America Movil has increased its stake in European operator group Telekom Austria. The LatAm group, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, has agreed to acquire 13.9 million shares in Telekom Austria, through Carso Telecom, a holding company owned by America Movil. The shares equate to a 3.14 per cent stake in the European group.

América Móvil’s KPN deal threatened by KPN Foundation

Mexican operator América Móvil has said that it is prepared to withdraw its €2.40/share bid for ownership of Dutch incumbent KPN after the independent KPN foundation exercised an option to buy shares that has given it almost 50 per cent of the voting rights in the telco.

America Movil invests $40m in Shazam

Latin American operator group America Movil has invested $40m in music recognition app Shazam. The move strengthens Shazam’s presence in Latin America, according to the app maker, as it looks to grow its similar television offering and develop other new products.

Mexico’s LTE plans only as good as government’s ability to green light them

In a telecoms market not noted for competition, Mexico’s MVS Communicaciones’ announcement of plans to invest $1bn in an LTE network as part of a consortium that includes Clearwire and Intel should, in theory, shake things up. The consortium would sell access to its network to a variety of local players, including its rivals, opening up a market that has been dominated by billionaire Carlos Slim’s America Movil.

Slim launches $22bn LatAm shake up

Latin American operator, America Movil, has launched its $21.8bn bid for control of three other regional telecoms firms. It sounds like big money but given that America Movil’s top man is none other than Carlos Slim Helu, the richest man in the world, such moves are to be expected.