Telefônica Brasil, the controlling company of Vivo, is reportedly analyzing the possibility of acquiring the provider Vero. According to information gathered by Estadão, consultants have already been hired and negotiations are underway, although no agreement has been formalized yet.
If the transaction materializes, it would significantly strengthen Vivo's presence in the fiber optic segment and expand its customer base. Additionally, Vero would bring a virtual mobile telephony operation to the company, serving both consumers and as structural support for other brands.
Vero's main value lies in its broadband base. Data provided by Anatel indicates that Vero has approximately 1.29 million fixed internet accesses, ranking sixth in the Brazilian market. Vivo, on the other hand, is in second place, with about 8.54 million accesses, trailing only Claro.
Vero provides services in hundreds of municipalities located in states such as Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. A potential acquisition also aligns with the scenario of consolidation among various providers, large and medium. Recently, Giga+ stated that it is in talks with Sky regarding a possible business merger.
Beyond fixed internet, Vero operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), utilizing TIM's network. In June, the company had about 340,000 mobile users, which already accounted for 7% of its revenue. Furthermore, it offers infrastructure for other companies to provide cell phone plans under their own brands.
Among the accredited companies are Veek, Salvy, Ampernet, and regional providers. This deal could be of interest to Vivo by providing a ready structure to serve smaller brands, although the exact role of this structure in a potential purchase has not yet been defined.
The possible sale occurs amid financial difficulties for Vero, which has a net debt close to R$ 3 billion and recorded a reduction in its subscriber base this year. Concurrently, Vivo has been investing in reinforcing its fiber infrastructure. In May, Vivo assumed full control of FiBrasil, a company created specifically to manage fiber optic networks. The incorporation of Vero would expand Vivo's presence in the broadband retail sector and add virtual mobile operation capacity.
As of now, there is no signed contract nor any guarantee that the deal will be finalized. Until the companies release an official decision, there are no confirmed changes for customers.
