Spotlight: 4 key Brazilian fiber backbone projects

Under different models, from PPPs to fiber swaps and international public tenders, several Brazilian states are advancing construction or expansion of fiber optics backbones.

Often dubbed Infovias, or Infolanes, these networks are normally part of broader projects to expand low-latency, high-speed connectivity and connect public buildings, schools, universities, hospitals, squares, among others.

BNamericas provides an overview of four of these projects – three of which in the country’s booming midwest.

MATO GROSSO

Brazil's national research and education network RNP announced on July 11 a technical cooperation contract with the state to deploy fiber backbone.

The project is being developed in partnership with local internet service provider G8, which was recently acquired by ISP Megatelecom. G8 was the player selected to operate two stretches of the network. 

In a first stage, Infovia Mato Grosso will connect the municipalities of Ribeirãozinho and Alto Garças, through a 180km stretch, and Ribeirãozinho and Barra do Garças, through a 116km stretch.

The first stretch will be a joint construction between RNP and G8, BNamericas was told. The second stretch, between Ribeirãozinho and Barra do Garças, will be deployed via a fiber swap between the companies.

BNamericas has learned that the backbone construction has already started and is planned to take 12 months.

"Usually these are routes where both RNP and the provider still do not have infrastructure, as is the case with these two stretches in the interior of the state of Mato Grosso," Eduardo Grizendi, RNP head of engineering and operations, told BNamericas.

“Our goal is always to build infrastructure in a shared manner with the private sector. By sharing with the provider, we retain our part of serving the entire academic community in the region, while the provider keeps bringing the service to its customers,” added Grizendi.

MATO GROSSO DO SUL

In Mato Grosso do Sul, Chile’s Sonda won last year a public-private partnership (PPP) contract to deploy a 7,000km fiber network and deliver digital services.

Worth 887mn reais over a 30-year term, the contract for the so-called Infovia Digital is the biggest ever for Sonda in Brazil and ranks among the group’s largest in Latin America, Sonda Brasil CEO Ricardo Scheffer told BNamericas on the occasion.

Of total contract value, 306mn reais are for infrastructure and 581mn reais for operation and maintenance, according to the state.

Implementation must be completed by July 2024. The network will connect 79 municipalities and forms the basis for free high-speed internet services, for example, in public squares.

Construction in state capital Campo Grande started in May and advances an average of 8km per day, according to the government’s latest project updates.

As per Sonda, BNamericas has learned that the company is mapping fiber PPPs in other Brazilian states as well.

GOIÁS

In Goiás, the third state in Brazil’s midwest, the Goiás de Fibra program was announced at the end of June as a priority, albeit in a very early stage.

The goal is to connect the 246 municipalities with fiber in the form of large optical rings. The idea is that, in a first phase, around 40% of municipalities be connected. Forecast investment for this phase is 400mn reais, as announced by the government, all to come from the private sector.

The expectation is that at least 2,300 connectivity points will be installed in public agencies in the state.

The project is still being created. Upcoming steps include a public consultation, the publication of a tender notice and the launch of the bidding process, although no dates have been published yet.

In 2012, the state announced the integration of 31 agencies with MetroGyn in capital Goiânia, a 69km fiber network coordinated by Universidade Federal de Goiás, co-operated by RNP and interconnecting several teaching, research and other institutions.

PIAUÍ

Piauí state's signature backbone project, Piauí Conectado, is considered the country's first telecoms PPP. 

The project, whose total fiber backbone should reach 11,000km when completed, has connected 224 municipalities and 3mn people, according to the latest government update.

Japanese fiber and optical equipment supplier Furukawa is the main supplier.

Studies and modeling of the PPP began in 2015, and the bidding process was launched in October 2017.

In 2018, the process concluded with Global Task being selected as the private partner under a 30-year concession. Investments in the network were estimated at 396mn reais.

As of December, Piauí Conectado had contracts signed with 80 ISPs for the use of the backbone.