le carriers that control 90 percent of the market. There are smaller providers, as well, in outlying regions. Table 8-4 lays out a list of the largest mobile carriers in Brazil. In all but the most remote areas of the Amazon in the northern and northeastern regions, almost every family has cellular service, which is for the most part based on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) service. While there are more subscriptions than there are people, the overall penetration of mobile services is much lower with concentrations in the largest cities in Brazil's southeast. Of Brazil's 217 million wireless subscribers, 21.3 million had third-generation (3G) handsets by the end of June 2011. This total is growing quickly and the government plans to auction off more spectrum for 3G service. Vivo, the largest mobile operator, upgraded its network to HSPA+, a 3.5G advanced cellular technology, throughout much of its territory. Mobile Carriers Worldwide Table 8-4 Mobile Providers in Brazil Mobile Provider Brand Name Owner Notes Telefónica SA Telefónica merged its fixed- Participacoes of Spain line company Telesp with Vivo to save money on over- head and sell an integrated offering of fixed-line, Internet access, cable TV, and mobile services. América Móvil Claro Telmex of Created by the merger of Mexico four Brazilian mobile opera- tors. Claro mobile services are offered throughout Latin America. Telmex also owns Embratel, Brazil's largest fixed-line, Internet access, cable TV, and satellite operator. TIM Brasil Telecom Italia Telecom Italia also owns Mobile of Intelig Telecomunicações Ltda, Italy which operates a 9,300-mile fiber-optic network in Brazil. Telemar Norte Telemar Parti- Also offers Internet access Leste cipacoes of and cable TV to individual Brazil; Portu- and corporate customers. Par- gal Telecom ent company Telemar Partici- 25.28% pacoes merged its fixed-line entities, Brasil Telecom and Tele Norte Leste Participa- coes, into a single entity with Telemar Norte Leste. All use Oi brand. Nextel Brasil 