China Telecom Considering Investment in $10M Mexico Mobile Broadband Network
China Telecom might be looking to build Mexico's mobile broadband network.
The company will possibly make a bid for the $10 billion network, a spokesman for the company said, according to Reuters. There aren't too many details, as the company said it is just starting to see if it should invest in the network.
China Telecom would want to join Mexican companies in an alliance. There was no announcement on what companies were approached to take part in the project. The plan, designed to improve the broadband network and to weaken Mexican businessman Carlos Slim's dominance of the telecommunications companies, has already received a few billion dollars from banks controlled by China.
China Telecom is also looking to be more than just an investor.
The United States may have issues with China Telecom's move to become a partner in the network. Mexico is looking to rely less on the U.S. by getting more investments from China, Reuters reports.
It may also affect some American businesses that have telecommunications companies in Mexico.
Bidding is supposed to be over in August 2015, but the process has reportedly started as of December.
Sources say the Mexican government will not own a stake in the company. The company that wins the bid will have a partnership with the government. The public-private partnership will give the winning company some flexibility. For example, it would be able to use "build towers on and a fiber optic network owned by the state electricity firm."
Huawei, a telecom equipment maker from China, is looking to become part of the project. The company has not been allowed to supply the U.S. with equipment because of fears that Huawei would allow the Chinese government to infiltrate American communications.
Huawei has denied these accusations.
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