Chilean telco Entel is eyeing potential investments in Colombia to follow its expansion in Peru, Reuters writes citing CEO Antonio Buchi. Entel signed an agreement in April for the takeover of US-backed cellco Nextel del Peru for USD400 million, though the acquisition is not expected to be completed until Q3 this year. Buchi added that Entel would expand Nextel’s offerings, which are currently focused primarily on SME and corporate users, and intends the unit to contribute 15%-20% of the group’s revenues within the next five years. Specific plans for Colombian expansion were not forthcoming, though the CEO said that ‘Colombia interests us, just like Peru does.’
TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database notes that Colombia’s telecoms authorities are preparing to auction 225MHz of spectrum in the 1710MHz-1755MHz, 1850MHz-1990MHz, 2110MHz-2155MHz and 2500MHz-2690MHz bands, primarily for 4G services. The sale is set to launch in late June this year, with two authorisations in the 2100MHz and 2500MHz bands reserved for new players. Entel was initially reportedly interested in taking part in the auction, though earlier this month Colombia’s ICT minister said that the government had so far received just six applications to participate in the tender – from the nation’s trio of incumbent cellcos, Mexico’s Azteca, Avantel and DirecTV.