ETB set to launch mobile telephony offering in September 2014

Colombian state-owned telco ETB, based in capital city Bogotá, is set to launch its mobile telephony offering in September 2014, local publication La República reported.

The company already operates an MVNO on Tigo's network, but next year will launch mobile operations using its own network.

ETB recently acquired spectrum in the AWS band in a joint bid with Tigo, and will partner with the latter firm and Telefónica's (NYSE: TEF) local unit Movistar Colombia in an infrastructure sharing deal to rapidly and efficiently establish national coverage.

The state telco is currently undergoing a period of significant transformation, investing heavily in fiber optic and mobile infrastructure in order to diversify its offering away from its traditional fixed telephony base.

More than half of ETB's revenues are now coming from other services such as broadband, voice over IP and IPTV, the company's president Saúl Kattan recently told BNamericas.

A further cash injection of US$240mn from the sale of its minority stake in Tigo to fellow state telco UNE has also provided ETB with additional resources to invest in new technologies.

The company currently has a 12.9% market share in fixed line internet in Colombia, according to ICT Ministry Mintic's statistics, with a strong concentration in its home city of Bogotá.

However, the company has not gained a significant share in the country's mobile market via its MVNO offering.

"ETB has the capacity to compete in the national market, offer more services and generate a larger and more profitable company," Kattan said.

The state telco is aiming to drive growth organically, and isn't seeking mergers or partnerships with other firms, he added.