Brazilian telecoms regulator Anatel has passed new measures designed to further open up the country’s fixed broadband market, BNAmericas reports. Under the plan, the watchdog has amended two key regulations: one concerning the area of multimedia communications services regulation; and one related to public price regulation for the right to offer telecom and satellite services. The two amendments are aimed at facilitating the arrival of new players to the fixed broadband sector, as well as simplifying the rules and regulations for companies wishing to purchase operating licences for such services. The online journal notes that the changes will also impact on fixed telephony and pay-TV regulations, as they allow telcos and cablecos to offer triple-play packages and to make use of fixed telephony numbering. In addition, Anatel has ruled that for those broadband providers with more than 50,000 subscribers, they must provide the internet connection for free, and must not charge it as part of a data communications service fee.
In a statement, the watchdog noted: ‘Anatel is sure that the expansion of the market, the de-bureaucratisation for the acquisition of licences and increased competition are essential to reduce prices for the end consumer, to improve quality and to decisively make the transition to an information and knowledge society’. The new rules affect the country’s 3,950 or so internet service providers (ISPs).