Brazilian regulator Anatel has revealed that the new concession contracts for Brazil’s fixed line operators, which are due to come into effect on 1 January 2006, will not include number portability. Anatel says that number portability is not a prerequisite for the new contracts, despite the country’s operators repeatedly asking for it to be introduced.
In a separate story, Anatel has said that the residential fixed line sector lacks competition, with customers in just 4% of municipalities being able to choose between two or more operators. The situation is better in the corporate sector, with competition existing in 30% – 40% of municipalities.