Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) operators in Brazil intend to ask the regulator Anatel for a minimum of 90MHz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz band, BNamericas cites online publication Convergencia Digital as saying. As it stands, Brazil’s MMDS players hold 190MHz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz band, but the watchdog is looking to cut that drastically to 50MHz to free up bandwidth for other wireless broadband-based services. Anatel has plans to allocate the newly freed up spectrum to frequency division duplexing (FDD) services (the mode chosen for LTE), and is restricting the allocation of spectrum for time division duplexing (TDD) alternatives (i.e. those generally used for WiMAX).
Carlos Andre Albuquerque, the president of Brazil’s association of MMDS operators Neotec, is quoted as saying that the association will have a meeting with Anatel officials on 20 April 2010 to discuss MMDS operators’ needs. Industry watchers say the regulator is guilty of heel-dragging where certification of WiMAX equipment in the 2.5GHz band is concerned. As such, MMDS operators cannot put in place any plans until the situation is resolved and equipment is certified.