GVT commits $56M to expand network in Brazil

GVT has set an aggressive path to up its presence in Brazil with plans to invest BRL 100 million (USD 56 million) to bring its network into another 13 municipalities.

As reported in TeleGeography citing local news source Baguete, the initial build out will include cities such as Estancia Velha, in Rio Grande do Sul state, in addition to expanding coverage in a number of rural areas.

In Estancia Velha, GVT could spend up to BRL 2 million (USD 1.1 million), with additional network buildouts to include Maua and Votorantim (in Sao Paulo state); Feira de Santana, Camacari, Alagoinhas and Simoes Filho (Bahia); Cidade Ocidental, Luziania and Senador Canedo (Goias); Caucaia and Maracanau (Ceara); and Biguacu (Santa Catarina).

This expansion plan comes after GVT said it just received a BRL 1.2 billion (USD 667 million) loan with Brazil's national development bank, BNDES, to fund its three-year network investment initiative, including pay TV services. BNDES said it approved the loan because it would like to put wireline broadband into the hands of more consumers and businesses.

Separately, GVT along with Intelig and Embratel won two-year agreements by state-owned Telebras to provide transit and wholesale services as part of Brazil's National Broadband Program (PNBL).

This latest network build out is part of an aggressive plan GVT has set in Brazil, with plans to invest about BRL 10 billion (USD 5.6 billion) over the next five years.

For more:
- TeleGeography has this article

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