Brasil Telecom and Oi plan merger – Communications Minister
Brasil Telecom and the operator Oi are to merge, Brazil’s communications minister said, reported in Cinco Dias. Helio Costa said the government had received official communication that the two intend to merge, confirming rumours which have been in the market for months. Costa said the communications ministry would ask telecoms regulator Anatel on the procedure which the government should follow so that the merger “goes ahead and prospers”. A tie-up between Oi and Brasil Telecom would create a stronger rival to Spanish telephony giant Telefonica and Mexican magnate Carlos Slim’s operations in Brazil.
