América Móvil Unit Wins Antitrust Nod for Desktop

América Móvil subsidiary Claro won unconditional approval from the Superintendência-Geral of Brazil's antitrust regulator, Cade, to acquire broadband provider Desktop. The decision becomes final if no appeal or review request occurs within 15 days of its publication in the official gazette. Telecom agency Anatel had already granted prior consent in May.

Signed in March, the deal values Desktop at R$ 4 billion. Claro is acquiring more than 84 million common shares, representing 73% of Desktop's capital, from Makalu Brasil Partners and a group of individual sellers including Desktop founder Denio Alves Lindo. The transaction includes R$ 2.4 billion in cash and the assumption of R$ 1.6 billion in net debt. Claro will also make a tender offer for the remaining 27% of Desktop shares on the market.

Cade noted that its review showed a reduced probability of unilateral market power abuse, covering horizontal overlap across 198 municipalities in the state of São Paulo.

Claro leads Brazil's broadband sector with 10.8 million subscribers and a 19.1% market share in July, according to Anatel data. Desktop is the eighth-largest player with nearly 1.2 million clients and a 2.1% share. Completing the acquisition will lift Claro to about 12 million subscribers and more than 21% market share, ahead of second-place Vivo, which holds 8.4 million subscribers and a 15% share.