Another chapter in the Brazilian 5G auction soap opera: Anatel sent the network distribution notice for approval by the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) last Friday (26). The agency reported that it has no pending documents regarding the delivery of documents to the Court, and clarified the next steps for the implementation of the technology.

In contact with Vida Celular, Anatel clarified that the lot pricing study will be published after the TCU analyses, which will result in the final version of the document — with or without adjustments. “Public sessions will be held 30 to 40 days after this publication to receive documents and open price proposals,” explains the advisory.

According to Anatel, after the publication of the 5G Notice, the opening of price proposals will begin, where operators will submit their proposals and compete for regional network lots. “The documents of the winning bidders will then be analyzed and, around 90 days later, the Authorization Terms will be signed and published,” estimates the institution. “From this date, the deadline for meeting the obligations of the notice and for using radio frequencies begins.”

Anatel also confirmed the auction estimate to take place in the second half of this year and the same predictions for installation of 5G in capitals by July 2022, as the deadline was defined by an “already approved instrument”. Changes to these estimates will only occur “if deemed necessary after the conclusion of the TCU analysis.”

Anatel will use computational tools to determine minimum bids

According to Anatel note, the technical teams of the two institutions have been discussing aspects of the pricing of the 5G tender since 2019. The company ended up using computational tools in Python to help with the calculations and simulations of the minimum auction prices, to determine costs based on the coverage areas.

The tender for the installation of high-frequency 5G in Brazilian territory has been underway since 2018, and it is estimated that it will be one of the largest network concessions in the history of telecommunications. The arrival of the connection could change the economic landscape and use of cellular technology in Brazil.

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