Investment

SoftBank may acquire America Movil’s Mexican assets

Japanese group SoftBank is reportedly considering an acquisition of the wireless assets put up for sale by America Movil in Mexico.

If SoftBank pursues the acquisition, it would be the Japanese firm’s first foray into the Mexican market. America Movil is offloading the infrastructure to reduce its presence in the market, in order to comply with new regulation.

Following its purchase of Sprint last year, SoftBank has asked the US operator’s CEO Marcelo Claure to find out more about America Movil’s assets – for example their exact value, which is currently posited at anywhere between $10 billion and $15 billion. Claure, who serves as an advisor to SoftBank chairman Masayoshi Son, is well-versed in the intricacies of the Latin American markets.

Speculation that SoftBank could be interested in the Mexican mobile market surged in September, when America Movil reportedly approached the Japanese group as a potential buyer for its surplus infrastructure. Later that month, it was reported that SoftBank was considering an investment in Mexican number three Iusacell.

SoftBank may take some time to reach its decision; a valuation of America Movil’s assets would be complex, and separating out the desired assets from the operator’s portfolio is not straightforward.

 



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