Anatel reports rising 3G, broadband growth

Brazil’s national telecoms regulator Anatel says the country was home to 26.3 million 3G mobile devices (including modems) at the end of May, up 73% on the same time a year ago. Of the total, some 19.8 million 3G devices were W-CDMA handsets, while the remaining 6.5 million were 3G modems, it said. By the start of June 3G devices accounted for more than 12% of total mobile connections in the country, it added. 3G networks currently provide coverage in 1,523 cities and municipalities across the country, representing 75.4% of the population. In a separate release, the regulator reports that the total number of fixed broadband connections reached 15.8 million at end-May, up 29% year-on-year.