Brazilian Ministry issues recommendations for telecoms review

The Ministry of Communications in Brazil has published guidelines to be followed by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) when reviewing the current regulatory model for telecoms services. According to a report from Telesemana, the Ministry recommends that ‘public authorities should promote access to broadband services at affordable costs and levels’. Objectives should include the expansion of transport networks and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure in urban areas, in keeping with the Ministries National Broadband Programme (PNBL) which was published in November 2014. In addition, the Ministry says mobile broadband technology should be used to improve internet coverage in smaller towns and for public sector applications such as education and health. Ministers also want Anatel to review the conditions for Fixed Switched Telephone Services (STFC) concessions to introduce more flexibility for licensees to provide converged services and thereby encourage greater investment by operators.