Brazil’s Oi goes for pre-payment
July 4, 2016
By Chris Forrester
Struggling Brazilian telco Oi, currently in the local version of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is pushing a pre-payment scheme for its pay-TV bouquet.
Would-be subscribers can buy the top-up cards at Oi’s shops and sales points for their cellular phones.
Oi is offering 15-day and full month options.
On June 29th a Brazilian court approved the bankruptcy protection order. Oi now has 60 days to present a recovery plan for its creditors. The Oi bankruptcy is the largest-ever in Brazilian history.
Oi has declared debts of some $20.2 billion (65.4 billion Reais) of which about 50 billion is owed to international bondholders and banks.
Oi’s CEO Marco Schroeder said talks with banks and bondholders will begin this week.