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Torre de telecomunicaciones con antenas sobre rascacielos en Ciudad de México al atardecer
Imagen ilustrativa generada: torre de telefonía móvil y rascacielos en Ciudad de México al atardecer. · Erick Prometeo Media

Televisa buys AT&T Mexico and challenges mobile dominance

Grupo Televisa agreed with Fintech Holdings to acquire AT&T Mexico for approximately two billion dollars through a 50 percent joint venture.

--- The context --- Mexico's mobile phone market, dominated by América Móvil, faces a move that could shift its balance. Grupo Televisa announced an agreement with Fintech Holdings to acquire AT&T's mobile telecommunications business in Mexico, considered the country's second-largest mobile operator, with approximately 24.7 million mobile subscribers as of December 31, 2025. --- The facts --- Grupo Televisa shares rose 4.8 percent on the Mexican Stock Exchange after the announcement. Shortly after the market opened, the shares traded at 8.49 pesos, the best performance of the day in the local market, and rose as much as 6.17%. According to published calculations, the rally added around one thousand five hundred million pesos to the company's market capitalization, which stood at approximately twenty-six thousand two hundred million pesos. The purchase will be carried out through a joint venture with equal stakes of 50 percent each; Fintech Holdings is a firm linked to Mexican businessman David Martínez. The agreed price amounts to approximately two billion dollars: 40 percent with equity and 60 percent with debt. Each partner will contribute around $400 million; the financing includes one thousand two hundred million dollars in loans and a revolving credit line of $200 million. The transaction still requires the corresponding regulatory authorizations. --- The positions --- The rating agency Fitch Ratings considered that the acquisition will not significantly affect Grupo Televisa's credit profile, whose rating stands at BB+ with a stable outlook. The agency noted that Televisa will not guarantee the debt contracted to finance the purchase nor consolidate AT&T Mexico's financial results, and that it will record its stake through the equity participation method. Fitch also warned that the market faces intense competition, so profitability will depend on AT&T Mexico's ability to improve its results and execute its business plans. --- What remains unknown --- Televisa does not expect to contract additional debt for its contribution: it prepared resources through the issuance of six thousand nine hundred million pesos in mandatory zero-coupon convertible bonds, carried out on June 3, 2026. At the close of the second quarter of 2026, it held one thousand six hundred million dollars in cash and equivalents, and 600 million in short-term investments, with no short-term debt. AT&T Mexico reported consolidated revenue of $85.4 billion pesos and operating income of $1.4 billion pesos. --- Unanswered questions --- Will the authorities approve the operation on the terms announced by the companies? Will the new operator be able to truly compete against the dominance of América Móvil? Will greater competition translate into better prices and services for the 24.7 million subscribers? How long will AT&T Mexico take to improve its profitability? --- EPM analysis --- The consumer-centered reading highlights the sector's concentration: a market dominated by a single player needs rivals with scale, and this joint venture starts out with 24.7 million subscribers. But competition is not decreed by an announcement: it will depend on sustained network investment, on AT&T Mexico concentrating its resources on improving its profitability, and on regulatory oversight that guarantees equitable conditions for all participants. Fitch does not expect dividends in the short term. 📌 EPM Take: In EPM's view, the deal is potentially good news for users because it creates a rival with real scale against the dominance of América Móvil, but its value will depend on verifiable facts: regulatory approval, sustained network investment and better results from AT&T Mexico. If the joint venture merely changes ownership without improving prices, coverage or service, one day of stock market relief will not turn into effective competition for the millions of Mexican subscribers who are waiting for genuine alternatives in their market.
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