Brazil’s president ordered Communications Minister Helio Costa to...
Brazil’s president ordered Communications Minister Helio Costa to defy regulator Antel and change the rules of an auction for WiMAX spectrum licenses in the 3.5 GHz and 10 GHz bands. Last week, Antel rejected a request by Costa to…
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delay the Sept. 18 auction to amend the rules. Brazil’s main fixed-line companies have complained that the proposed rules exclude them from licenses in their existing operating areas, and say the rules sharply curb their capacity to offer WiMAX wireless broadband services. Costa also wants to reserve at least one frequency for the govt.’s digital inclusion program and make license holders provide coverage to cities large and small. The Communications Ministry wants to change the bidding rules before Aug. 24. This isn’t the first time the ministry has intervened in a decision within the Brazilian regulator’s authority.