3G Systems in operation in Brazil

Vivo is the only cellular operator with 3G network operating in Brazil. It has CDMA 1XEVDO network operating with limited covering in 24 cities in Brazil. Offers tha services: Vivo ZAP 3G to Internet connection. Consult the Coverage of this network.

3G Implantation in Brazil

The cellular operators of Brazil (SMP) must implant 3G networks based in the standard UMTS/WCDMA. This must also be Vivo's choice, that is implanting a GSM network prepared to offer in the future 3G services in this standard.

Anatel - Licitation of frequencies

Anatel approved in 07/12/2007 public consultation of 3G frequencies in Braz:

• 07/17/07: public consultation open with contributions until 08/20
• Oct/07: O edital licitation should be launched
• Nov or Dec/07: Frequencies auction

Edital main news to go on public consultation:

• Brasil was divided in 11 licitation areas. In each area, the companies concur on four radiofrequency blocks, 15 MHz (Band F) and three 10 MHz (bands G, I and J). 
• The areas are linked. For example, who gets São Paulo's metropolitan area, will have to attend region amazônica. The same way in the suburb of São Paulo linked to Northeast (Piauí to Alagoas).
• Obligations of coverage. Service provider obligation of mobile telephony in the cities under 30 thousand inhabitants in the both first years. Also, according to the proposal, until 60 months, 60% of the cities in the same population band should have 3G access, the others should be covered for the second generation (2G) of mobile telephony.

Licitation of "leftovers" SMP frequencies

Anatel also approved in 07/12/07 the opening of SMP licitation. Part of this edital is Band L in 1900 MHz which has Vivo as main enterested principal interessada.

O Edital deverá ser publicado no dia 24 de julho e o leilão deverá ocorrer em meados de setembro. A utilização das Bandas só poderá ser efetivada após o a ocorrência do Edital de 3G.

Este edital foi objeto da consulta pública (756) Para uma analise do edital consulte o comentário: 3G e o xadrez das frequências de celular no Brasil.

The following table presents the sub-bands in 1,900 MHz and 2,100 MHz destined by Anatel to the implantation of 3G (more details), but still not in licitation.

* TDD Systems (Time Division Duplex) that use the same sub-band of frequencies to transmission in both directions.

The system 3G (WCDMA/HSDPA) still can be placed in Brazil in the frequencies of 800 MHz.

Utilization of the Bands A and B (850 MHz)

The cellular operators that have frequencies in the bands 850 MHz (Bands A and B) can use these frequencies to implant 3G systems in the UMTS standard (WCDMA/HSDPA). This band is been used per operators in the United States as Cingular to implant it network WCDMA/HSDPA.

Claro and Tim have spectrum in 850 MHz cause it clients change to GSM and are using the extension bands in 900 and 1800 MHz (more details).

Claro, could implant it 3G network (WCDMA/HSDPA) in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, in the Northeast and in the Middle-West, without acquiring new Anatel's frequencies.

Operators in the Bands A and B (850 MHz) in Brazil

OI and Brasil Telecom that use the band of 1800 MHz (Bands D and E) have to wait the licitation of 3G of Anatel. BrT announced that pretend in 2007 to consult the suppliers about the possibility of using the Band 1,800 to 3G.