Brasil Telecom to set up subsidiary in Colombia

The Board of Directors of Brasil Telecom has approved the setting up of a subsidiary of the company in Colombia to provide international connections for operators in that country. The new company will belong to Brasil Telecom GlobeNet, an arm of the operator which operates an underwater fibre optic network which resulted from the acquisition of GlobeNet by Brasil Telecom.

It offers telecommunications infrastructure for operators and providers. Brasil Telecom was already present in Venezuela, Bermudas and the USA via its business unit Brasil Telecom GlobeNet and the setting up of a company in Colombia represents a natural expansion for its business.

Publication: Telecom.paper News
Provider: Telecom.paper
Date: September 8, 2008

Colombia receives eight bids for subscription-TV licences

Eight companies have placed their offers for subscription-TV licences in Colombia. The bidding period expired on 15 August. Colombian operators Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Bogota (ETB), Emcali, la Empresa Regional de Telecomunicaciones Valle del Cauca, Dragon Media, Grupo Inversiones Filigrana, Teleconsultores, Telemegavision and Digital Communication Systems are the bidders interested in the five licences on offer by the National Television Commission (Cntv).

Previously granted by Cntv, for various reasons these five licences are currently not in use. The tender process is scheduled for completion on 2 September, while the licences will be awarded no later than 15 November.

Publication: Telecom.paper News
Provider: Telecom.paper
Date: August 21, 2008

ETB expects to reach 800,000 broadband subscribers within 4 years

Bogotá municipally owned telco ETB expects its broadband subscribers to reach 800,000 within the next four years compared to the current 300,000, company president Fernando Panesso said.

ETB plans to increase its market competition through a massive expansion of the company's client base in both broadband and cable TV segments.

The recently appointed executive also said that the operator's objective is to have 450,000 new broadband subscribers in 2008-09 alone, local paper Portafolio reported.

ETB expects to conduct a pilot test of IPTV in November, Panesso added. The TV service will enable the telco to offer triple play services.

Publication: Business News Americas - English News
Provider: Business News Americas
Date: June 6, 2008