Embratel

Embratel (Empresa Brasileira de Telecomunicações S. A.) is the largest Brazilian telecommunications company, headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. It was the long distance division of Telebrás before being acquired by the American company MCI Communications (later acquired by Worldcom) for 2.65 billion reais during the privatization of Telebrás in 1998. Since the second quarter of 2004, Embratel belongs to Telmex, the Mexican telephone operator, since Worldcom (now MCI) has had to divest its assets to face its bankruptcy.

Currently, Embratel has a strong position not only in the voice market but also in the Brazilian data market. The company has digitalized networks of both microwave and fiber optics, as well as five communications satellites, managed by its satellite arm, Star One. It is also a member of Intelsat and Inmarsat and owns four submarine fiber cables Unisur, Americas II, Atlantis II and Columbus III.

Embratel shares are traded on Bovespa, the São Paulo stock exchange.