Nextel Brasil to triple subscriber base by 2015, driven by 3G

Brazilian mobile operator Nextel Brasil is looking to triple its subscriber base in the country by 2015, driven by its imminent entrance into the nascent 3G market. Although Nextel has around 3.7 million customers, they tend to use the firm’s proprietary push-to-talk based service. However, from the second half of 2012 the cellco aims to launch its full 3G mobile network having acquired licences from Anatel in December 2010. Nextel president Sergio Chaia made his prediction for the strong growth and reiterated plans to invest BRL5.5 billion (USD3.4 billion) over the next five years to achieve this. Chaia said that from launch Nextel will be offering 3G services initially in states where it already operates – Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Goias, Bahia, Brasilia, Ceara, Pernambuco and Espirito Santo. But the idea is to expand coverage for almost the entire country in 2013.