Claro, TIM sign infra sharing deal

Mobile operators Claro and TIM Brasil closed an agreement to share infrastructure in the form of roaming, which the companies claim will ensure connectivity to clients of both companies in 700 more municipalities where previously only one of the two carriers was present.

Claro and TIM are the second and third largest mobile players in Brazil, respectively, and have some 116mn mobile clients combined. The deal provides for an efficient use the infrastructure, reducing costs and releasing funds for investments in other areas, the companies said.

The deal is limited to the transmission of 3G technology and will not represent any increase in costs to clients of the companies.

According to regulator Anatel, 3G accounted for less than a third of all mobile connections in Brazil at June. Since the beginning of the year, 14,012 3G lines were disconnected. In the meantime, 4G gained nearly 16,000 accesses.

By June, Claro's 3G networks were available in 3,528 municipalities and TIM's were present in 3,113.

In addition to Claro, TIM also has an infra and network sharing deal with Oi.