Finance
America Movil's Claro Open to Further Acquisitions in Brazil After Desktop Deal
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 23, 2026
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Quick Summary
Claro, America Movil’s Brazilian unit, has agreed to buy a 73% stake in ISP Desktop for R$4 billion (~US$750–753 million) and remains open to further targeted acquisitions in Brazil, pending regulatory approval.
America Movil's Claro Considers More Acquisitions in Brazil After Desktop Deal
Claro's Expansion Strategy and Recent Acquisition
Overview of Claro's Acquisition Approach
SAO PAULO, April 23 (Reuters) - Telecom operator Claro, owned by Mexico's America Movil, is open to new deals in Brazil following its recently announced purchase of internet provider Desktop.
CEO's Statement on Acquisition Criteria
"We analyze all the options that come our way," Claro's Brazil CEO Rodrigo Marques told reporters in Sao Paulo on Thursday. "But we don't buy just anything for the sake of buying. It has to be related to our customers' needs."
Details of the Desktop Acquisition
Claro announced last month a deal to buy a 73% stake in Desktop for an enterprise value of 4 billion reais ($808.93 million), with a base equity price of about 2.4 billion reais after deducting the Brazilian firm's net debt.
Regulatory Approval Process
Marques noted that the deal still requires approval from antitrust watchdog CADE and telecom regulator Anatel, which he expects could be granted by the end of the year.
Strategic Importance of the Deal
Focus on Sao Paulo and Nationwide Opportunities
The executive said the Desktop acquisition was driven by the company's strong presence in Sao Paulo state, Brazil's most populous and economically significant, while noting that Claro is open to deals across the country as it operates nationwide.
America Movil's Ownership Structure
America Movil is controlled by the family of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.
Exchange Rate Information
($1 = 4.9448 reais)
(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes; Editing by Gabriel Araujo)
Key Takeaways
- •Claro is pursuing strategic deals—not just growth for growth’s sake—aligned with customer needs, per CEO Rodrigo Marques.
- •The Desktop acquisition bolsters Claro’s fiber footprint, especially in São Paulo; the deal is awaiting CADE and Anatel approval expected by year‑end.
- •America Movil has a history of Brazilian acquisitions (e.g., Nextel 2019, Oi mobile assets 2022) and may continue expanding Claro’s footprint nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions about America Movil's Claro open to further acquisitions in Brazil after Desktop deal
1Who owns Claro Brazil?
Claro Brazil is owned by Mexico's America Movil, which is controlled by the family of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.
2What recent acquisition did Claro make in Brazil?
Claro recently announced a deal to acquire a 73% stake in Brazilian internet provider Desktop for an enterprise value of 4 billion reais.
3Is Claro planning more acquisitions in Brazil?
Yes, Claro is open to further acquisitions in Brazil, analyzing opportunities that align with customer needs, according to its CEO Rodrigo Marques.
4What approvals are needed for the Claro-Desktop deal?
The acquisition requires approval from Brazil's antitrust watchdog CADE and telecom regulator Anatel.
5Why did Claro choose to acquire Desktop?
Claro's CEO cited Desktop's strong presence in Sao Paulo state as a key factor for the acquisition.
