Brazilian regional telecom operator Copel Telecom has acquired Curitiba-based ISP and data centre provider Nova Fibra from ABL group in a deal valued at BRL500 million (US$ 94.7 million).
According to local media reports, the conclusion of the negotiation still depends on the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) and the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
Agnaldo Lopes, owner of Nova Fibra, will have 5% of the new Copel Telecom, in a transition that values the operator from Paraná at R$ 6.6 billion, said the media reports.
Nova Fibra has a presence in 30 towns and cities in Sao Paolo and Parana and presides over a 7,000km fibre network. The telco currently serves around 90,000 retail subscriptions and 3,500 business clients. It also operates in the Data Center segment, offering IaaS, FwaS, BaaS, and cloud storage services.
The 350 employees of Nova Fibra will be maintained and will be added to Copel's 450. The total exceeds 1,000 people when adding Sercomtel.
The reports said that Copel Telecom wants to be a neutral network provider (offered to any company), the same position as V.tal, which emerged after the sale of Oi's network to the BTG and GlobeNet funds.
Copel Telecom (along with Unifique) and Sercomtel bought spectrum in the 5G auction in November. The group will provide internet access services where there is no mobile network coverage. It will provide mobile access for fixed use and services to companies in all segments, including healthcare and farms.
Copel Telecom was Brazil's remaining state-owned telecoms company until it was sold to Bordeaux Investment Fund for $443.7 million.
