Embratel to Invest US$600mn in WiMax Through Mar 2008

Brazilian long distance and data services provider Embratel expects to invest US$600mn through March 2008 in WiMax technology, local newspaper Último Segundo reported company sales director Flávio Gomes as saying.

According to the executive, the technology will be available by March in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Campinas, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, Campo Grande, Brasília, Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza.

Embratel expects to provide WiMax coverage in other state capitals and other cities across the country in subsequent stages.

Gomes said that the company would target both the corporate and residential segments.

Embratel is part of Mexican telecoms group Telmex. Last October, the company revealed its plans to launch a converged data, video and voice service for the corporate market in 2008.

Posted to the site on 23rd November 2007