Brazilian telecom regulator, Antel, has approved Brazil’s 5G spectrum auction regulations. The interesting part of the approval is that there are no restrictions on Huawei. The Trump administration put pressure on Brazil. It requires Brazil to ban Huawei from entering its 5G technology market on security grounds. However, it’s obvious that the Brazilian government did not cave to the pressures.
According to reports, Brazilian telecommunication companies do not want Huawei out of the picture. They claim that without Huawei, the country will spend billions of dollars on 5G investment. At present, 50% of the country’s 3G and 4G equipment are from Huawei.
Brazil’s 5G spectrum auction is expected to be held in June 2021 and contains some additional conditions for telecommunications companies. The regulation states that 5G networks must adopt new technologies and not rely on 4G. In addition, telecommunications companies will also provide broadband connections for the northern part of the Amazon rainforest. They will have to rely on the laying of bottom river optical fibers.
Gizchina News of the week
The Brazilian President criticized Huawei in 2020 and said that it would prohibit Huawei from participating in the country’s 5G construction. However, the tension from last year did not radiate into this year. Of course, it could have links to the presidential election result in the U.S.
Huawei hires controversial former Brazilian president as an advisor on 5G
Huawei recently hired the former Brazilian president to advise on 5G networks in the region. The company wants to deliver fast bandwidth growth in the local market ahead of the Brazilian 5G wireless auction.
Michel Temer was Vice President of Brazil from 2011 to 2016 and also served as President of the country from August 31, 2016 to January 1, 2019. He has been the subject of multiple court proceedings and has had to face criminal charges.
An auction for 5G networks in Brazil was previously planned to be held in March 2020, but due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the date was postponed to early 2021. During this time, Chinese tech giant Huawei faced a potential ban in the country that could prevent it from supplying 5G equipment. The company has now turned to the former president to strengthen its position.
Michel Temer is also a professor of constitutional law and a lawyer. He is in touch with the current president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, which could play into the hands of the Chinese tech giant.