The Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicacoes (Anatel) has reportedly set 12 March as the new date for its decision on the renewal of the 1800MHz licences held by TIM Participacoes (TIM Brasil) and Oi SA, Teletime reports. Meanwhile, according to Convergencia Digital, there is still no consensus between board member regarding what course to follow, with only two of the five Anatel directors casting a vote to date; of the two votes cast, one was in favour or renewing the concession, while the other was against.
As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, the duo failed to file for 2G licence renewals by the 13 March 2013 deadline – a full three years before their concessions were actually due to expire – and found themselves in regulatory hot water. If the pair are stripped of their respective 1800MHz frequency permits, upwards of 50 million 2G subscribers could be affected.