Brazil Telecoms News

Huawei awarded 4G equipment contract, paving the way to become Telefónica’s biggest partner in the Brazilian market. Ericsson set to mount a response.

Suppliers & SCM
Telefónica picks Comtech for LatAm remote backhaul
Telefónica Group agreed a multi‑year programme with US‑based Comtech Telecommunications to help it manage the backhaul requirements of its 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile networks in Argentina and Brazil.
Network & Infrastructure
Vivo looks for FTTP partners to boost regional coverage
New franchise model aims to extend FTTP footprint by one million homes by end‑2021. Three franchisees already signed up.
Enterprise (B2B)
Vivo selling 1,909 towers to Telxius for €140m
Telefónica|Vivo agreed to sell 1,909 tower sites to Telxius Torres Brasil for BRL 641m (€141m).
Products & Services
Vivo brings carrier billing to Brazil
Telefónica|Vivo was the first operator in Brazil to offer carrier billing for Globoplay, a major local video-streaming platform.
Financial & Performance
Vilá quietly confident in Telefónica’s steady progress
Organic growth in key metrics puts Group broadly on track to hit guidance for the year, although Mexico a drag. Management maintaining focus beyond near‑term for 5G and digital transformation. Services beyond connectivity slowly feeding MNC growth.
People
Telefónica Latin America People Moves, October-November 2019
Several digital and data role changes at Vivo follow recent reputational woes at the Brazilian operating business. Telefónica Mexico brings in new senior management following recent CEO switch. Latest people movements include: Tomás Bermani, André Dias, Claudio Ikeda, Luiz Gustavo Paguetti Roque, João Paulo de Oliveira Prado, Cristiano Yazbek ...
Products & Services
Vivo launches RCS on Google’s platform
The latest attempt to breathe life into RCS will see Telefónica offer brands an opportunity to interact with customers more directly. Google’s backing for the technology is helping to bring traction to the Latin America region.
Strategy & Change
Vivo updates BSS to improve service to enterprises
Ongoing work with NEC’s Netcracker will see Telefónica|Vivo upgrade its systems for selling to, and supporting, enterprise customers.
Enterprise (B2B)
Telefónica Brasil signs ‘Golden Arches’ contract
Another major enterprise win for Vivo Empresas’ in 2019. McDonald’s franchise holder will adopt SD‑WAN technology.
Suppliers & SCM
Ezentis trumpets latest Telefónica contract wins
Ezentis maintained its drumbeat of deals, highlighting its ongoing infrastructure management relationship with Telefónica across Latin America.
M&A
Vivo interested in Oi spectrum as asset sale speculation bubbles up again
Telefónica|Vivo appears to be circling Brazil’s distressed fourth‑placed operator Oi more closely as speculation on the sale of its assets bubbles up again.
Strategy & Change
Telefónica accelerates transformation as market worries
Accelerated transformation unveiled to ease investor worries prompted by Latin American turbulence and uncertainty on prospect of profit from digital transformation. Mast monetisation expected to provide €360m profit boost, with action to be taken within coming year. While Telxius expansion a clear path to raising funds, other options are ...
Strategy & Change
Telefónica|Vivo sets waste reduction target
Telefónica|Vivo aim to reduce the use of disposable cups throughout the business.
Products & Services
AURA is now available through WhatsApp
Telefónica|Vivo’s Aura is now available to use through WhatsApp.
Partnerships & Alliances
Vivo Empresas flags new big data solutions contract
The contract will support the expansion of Benjamin A Padaria’s business operations.
Public Affairs
MPDFT seeks to ban Vivo Ads’ geolocation feature
Investigation into data use may give insight into parameters of privacy law in Brazil. However, suggestions of potential impropriety at the operating business cast a shadow over Vivo attempts to position itself as a data privacy champion.
Public Affairs
Vivo held accountable for slave labour in supply chain
Vivo held accountable for practices by subcontractors linked to 2014 cell site construction. Minor fine attached to ruling, but reputational cost may be greater. Operator says it will appeal against the judgement.
Network & Infrastructure
Vivo takes Kite to new heights
Range of new Kite capabilities unveiled, including support for LPWAN, and greater customer control over deployments. Vivo also pushing private 4G networks to support continued IoT growth.
Financial & Performance
H1 FY19: confident Telefónica cruising on
Telefónica on track for year, with management confident long-running strategy is beginning to pay off. Revenue and profit growing organically, but change in accounting standards may be flattering numbers. Operating costs floating up on digital transformation projects and to fuel the value-add commercial strategy. Latin America enterprise business growing ...
Strategy & Change
Telefónica/Vivo: opening Pandora’s box
CIO recounts experiences from digital overhaul of Brazilian operator’s sprawling IT operation.
Products & Services
Telefónica ramps up AURA
Telefónica provided insights into its AURA strategy, including more market launches. Microsoft’s position as a partner remains a core element of the project. Commitment reiterated to overcoming the challenge of combining local services with a central unified vision.