By Gabriela Mello
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian telecoms company Oi SA (SA:OIBR4) said on Monday its mobile unit has signed an agreement to issue up to 2.5 billion reais ($609.40 million) in debenture bonds with a 24-month term to meet its cash needs.
The move comes as Brazil's largest fixed-line carrier struggles to turn around its business since filing for bankruptcy protection in June 2016 and to restructure approximately 65 billion reais ($15.7 billion) of debt.
In a securities filing early on Monday, Oi said the debt issuing was foreseen in its restructuring plan as debtor-in-possession financing (DIP) to raise cash while under bankruptcy.
The company is also working to divest non-core assets such as towers, data centers, real estate and a 25% stake in Angolan carrier Unitel to fulfill investments in its fiber-to-the-home broadband service.
Earlier in December, Oi's chief operating officer said the company had hired financial advisors to put a value on its mobile unit, which has draw the interest of all three competitors.
Executives from all three major carriers - Telefonica (MC:TEF) Brasil SA (SA:VIVT4), TIM Participações SA (SA:TIMP3) and America Movil's Claro (MX:AMXL) - said they could consider a deal with Oi.
($1 = 4.1024 reais)