Brazilian Government can tow 2.5 GHz to 450 MHz to force interest from telcos

As the range of 2.5 GHz has strong interest from telcos, the Ministry of Communications warn of the possibility of tying the purchase of spectrum in rural investment, using the 450 MHz, where there is no clear indication of interest from utilities . "There is a historical debt of the government and telcos with the rural area and we will move it," said Paul Bernardo. Better use of the band, assured the minister, must be set soon.
The Communications Minister Paulo Bernardo, took part in Thursday, 02/06, the 55th Telebrasil Panel. In his presentation, Bernardo made it clear he is willing to negotiate with the telcos, but they also charge higher interest them to act in areas of less economic power.
"My criticism of the telcos are held. But trading is always necessary to improve service provision. The telcos need to go beyond what they are going. That is fact. We can not have both Brazilian with no option," said Bernard told reporters. And beyond.He said that operators can, and more than that must do more.
"There is a huge Mercadão where telcos are required to compete and do not understand how a company conforms to offer a service that meets just over 20% of the population, it is not reasonable. And I'll charge a lot. But the fact is that there is aother track we will have to negotiate universal, and we will do it, "he added.
The decision to tow the 450 MHz to 2.5 GHz happens after the telcos do not show interest in having the 450 MHz band as a 'digital dividend' by the new General Plan on Universal Service, approved by Anatel on Thursday . "It's an idea yes. We need the service in the rural area and we will make it happen," he said. From the standpoint of technology, linking the 2.5 GHz to 450 MHz can be attractive - 2.5 GHz has the capacity, and 450 MHz coverage.
But there are also critical, according to the telcos. The main one: The lack of scale for the provision of terminal services at 450 MHz, since the track is little used worldwide."The cost of the apparatus of 450 MHz is very expensive. The business plan is not secured. If government policies create attraction for these terminals to download a price, you can redo the math," said Mario Girasole, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Institutional Relations of the TIM. Follow the passage on the best use of the frequency range in Brazil in the presentation of the Communications Minister Paulo Bernardo, on the 55th Telebrasil Panel.