Santa Catarina-based ISP Unifique, which was part of a consortium that successfully bid on Brazilian 5G spectrum in 2021, has confirmed that its planned mobile launch is running behind schedule. Speaking during a conference call to discuss the company’s 4Q22 results, CEO Fabiano Busnardo said that Unifique now hopes to commence testing in April ahead of a commercial launch in June. TeleTime quotes the executive as saying: ‘We had the perspective of starting the year by launching services, but unfortunately it was not possible … we discovered halfway through that there is a lot to do.’
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Unifique – alongside fellow fixed line operator Ligga Telecom (then known as Copel Telecom) – successfully bid on a regional 3.5GHz licence in November 2021’s 5G spectrum auction. Via the ‘Consorcio 5G Sul’ consortium the companies agreed to pay BRL73.6 million (USD13.3 million) for an 80MHz block of spectrum (3620MHz-3700MHz), while ‘goodwill’ of approximately BRL69 million will be converted into investment commitments serving locations in the south of the country. (Note: Unifique holds a 62.77% stake in the JV, while Ligga owns the remaining 37.23% share.)