ATT doubles down on Mexico

AT&T is doubling down on its investment in Mexican telecom.

The second largest wireless carrier in the United States this month announced that it will acquire the wireless business of NII Holdings, which operates as Nextel Mexico (only in Spanish), for just under $2 billion.

AT&T two months earlier bought Iusacell (only in Spanish), Mexico’s third biggest carrier.

Nextel has 3% of Mexico’s mobile telecom market.

Iusacell has a 9% share.

The market leader, Telcel (only in Spanish), has 70%.

Telcel is a subsidiary of América Móvil, which operates throughout Latin America under the Claro brand.

Movistar (only in Spanish), a subsidiary of Spain’s Telefonica, is the second biggest wireless carrier, with an 18% share.