Brazil - Telecoms Infrastructure, Operators, Regulations - Statistics and Analyses

Synopsis

The Brazilian fixed-line market has been adversely affected by consumers substituting services for mobile and VoIP solutions. The number of fixed lines continues to fall slowly, despite gains in the VoIP sector. VoIP services in Brazil are not regulated by the telecoms regulator and are offered by many service providers. The main Brazilian VoIP providers are Net Serviços and Telefónica.

Internet connectivity in Brazil is provided by a number of submarine cables to the USA, Central and South America, Africa and the Caribbean. New cable systems are due to come into service which will increase bandwidth and push down broadband prices for end-users. Investments are ongoing into extensive terrestrial cables between Brazil, Argentina and Chile which will connect to the EllaLink cable and provide a link between Sao Paulo and both Lisbon and Madrid.

Given the remoteness of many communities satellite communications have retained an important role in Brazil. The Amazon jungles of the north make satellites the major communication platform, as it is almost impossible to lay fibre optic cable in the thick vegetation.

The bulk of the market is divided between three key operators: Telefónica, América Móvil and Oi.

Telefónica operates through Telefónica Brasil, which has integrated its fixed-line and mobile services under the brand name Vivo. The América Móvil group in Brazil comprises long-distance incumbent Embratel, mobile operator Claro, and cable TV provider Net Serviços. The group has merged its divisions, including Embratel, and provides fixed and mobile services under the Claro brand, previously used only for mobile services. Oi offers fixed-line and mobile services under the Oi brand name.

This report provides a review of Brazil’s telecom market including infrastructure and the regulatory environment. It profiles the main fixed-line operators and provides relevant statistics and analyses.

Key developments:

• GlobeNet and Facebook start laying the 2,500km Malbec cable;
• ACSea submarine cable linking Brazil and Europe contracted by Telebrás and IslaLink;
• Seabras-1 cable to provide direct route between the US and Brazil;
• SAIL submarine cable running between Brazil and Cameroon completed;
• Government studies Northern Connection cable network across the Amazon basin;
• Report update includes the regulator’s market data updates to September 2018, operator data to Q3 2018, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Vivo (Telefônica Brasil), TIM Brasil, Oi, Embratel, Net Serviços, GVT, CTBC, Global Crossing, Star One, TelesatBrasil, Hispamar, Telebrás, Claro, TIM Brasil, Intelig, Algar Telecom, Sercomtel, GVT.

Table of Contents

Related Reports

• Brazil - Mobile Infrastructure, Broadband, Operators - Statistics and Analyses
• Brazil - Fixed Broadband Market - Statistics and Analyses
• Caribbean - Telecoms Market - Statistics and Analyses
• 2013 Brazil - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts
• 2013 Latin America - Fixed-line, Internet and Broadband Statistics (tables only)
• Latin America's Digital Economy - The E-Commerce and M-Commerce Landscape Historical