America Movil plans to launch 4G mobile services (LTE likely) in Mexico with recently acquired wireless spectrum earlier this month.
"We don't know exactly when, but we are reviewing when it would be good for [Mexico unit] Telcel to start putting in that infrastructure. It would be an alternative to increase the data side of our business, which is growing a lot," Chief Executive Daniel Hajj said during a conference call to discuss the company's second-quarter financial result, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
Earlier this month, Telco submitted the highest bids for 21 blocks of 10MHz in the 1710MHz-2170MHz frequency band, offering to pay $297 million. Telecommunications regulator Cofetel has 30 days to announce the final winners.
America Movil's closest rival, Spain's Telefonica bid MXN4.13 billion to obtain the spectrum it needs to launch a nationwide 3G network. America Movil has about a 70% market share and already providing 3G services.
In 2007 and 2008, America Movil deployed 3G networks in nearly all of its markets in Latin America to provide wireless broadband. America Movil had 211.3 million wireless subscribers in 17 countries in the Americas at the end of June.