Colombian cellcos Movistar and Tigo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the possibility of sharing their mobile access networks via a new, common-owned infrastructure company. As per the MoU, the two companies will continue to be competitors in the provision of retail and wholesale telecoms services and will maintain their business, strategic and commercial independence and autonomy.

If the two operators manage to unify their networks, they say that national coverage would be strengthened in around 10% of the territory. According to the companies’ estimates, the consolidated network would optimise the quality of mobile services in more than 700 municipalities. Further, the new infrastructure company would be the vehicle for the deployment of future 5G networks.