Brazil - Fixed-Line Infrastructure - Overview, Statistics and Market Forecasts

Synopsis

Brazil’s fixed-line teledensity is about 23% higher than average for Latin America but has been stagnating since 2002. Fixed-line rentals are expensive compared with other countries and a large percentage of Brazilians cannot afford a fixed telephone. Because of remoteness problems, Brazil is very active in the satellite sector. Three companies operate national satellites: Star One, Telesat Brasil, and Hispamar. Star One was the first operator to provide satellite services in Brazil, and remains the market leader. Star One C3, scheduled for launch in 2012, will cover all of South America including Brazilian territorial waters. The launch of Telstar 14R (known as Estrela do Sul 2 in Brazil), scheduled for the second half of 2011, was brought forward to May 2011. The satellite covers 100% of Brazilian territory and can deliver services to the whole of the Americas. This report provides an overview of Brazil’s telecom infrastructure, accompanied by relevant statistics, analyses, and fixed-line scenario forecasts for the years 2015 and 2020.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Telecommunications infrastructure
  • 2.1 National telecom network
    • 2.1.1 Fixed-line statistics
    • 2.1.2 Public payphones
  • 2.2 International infrastructure
    • 2.2.1 Submarine cable networks
    • 2.2.2 Satellite networks
  • 2.3 Infrastructure developments
    • 2.3.1 IP and voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
    • 2.3.2 Very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks
• 3. Wholesale
• 4. Forecasts – fixed-line market 2010; 2015; 2020
  • 4.1 Scenario 1 – higher fixed line growth
  • 4.2 Scenario 2 – lower fixed-line growth
  • 4.3 Notes on scenario forecasts
• 5. Related reports

• Table 1 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2011
• Table 2 – Public payphones – 1996 - 2011
• Table 3 – Net and GVT – VoIP subscribers – 2005 - 2010
• Table 4 – Telesp – wholesale accesses – 2005 - 2010
• Table 5 – Forecast fixed lines – higher growth scenario – 2010; 2015; 2020
• Table 6 – Forecast fixed lines – lower growth scenario – 2010; 2015; 2020

• Chart 1 – Evolution of fixed lines in service – 1995 - 2011

• Exhibit 1 – Regions and States of Brazil
• Exhibit 2 – Geostationary satellites operating in Brazil – 2011