Anatel to submit 450MHz rules for public consultation

Brazil's telecoms regulator Anatel will present for public consultation a set of rules governing the use of the 450MHz band for 30 days from June 7, the regulator said in a statement. The new rules would allow the regulator to issue licenses to operate in the frequency, and Anatel director José Pereira said the spectrum would most likely be used for trunking services. There is no real need for spectrum clearing to award licenses in Brazil, as it is used by some low capacity fixed line services and aeronautics. Furthermore, it is a spectrum band that is fairly free around the world, reducing problems of international roaming, Anatel said. In February, 24 companies expressed an interest in providing services in the frequency. Since then, two firms have gained Anatel authorization to carry out 450MHz trials with CDMA technology, with US-based Lucent working with mobile operator Vivo and China's ZTE working with Unicel do Brasil. The 450MHz band can be used for wireless local loop for fixed line operators or for mobile operators, ZTE Brazil marketing manager Enzo Pagotto told BNamericas. Furthermore, the CDMA technology's 1xRTT data service is already available at 450MHz, and there is a roadmap for developing high-speed EV-DO services, Pagotto said. Investments in 450MHz infrastructure are lower than for 1900MHz, because the lower frequency means radio base stations have a much wider range, Pagotto said. According to the CDMA Development Group, just one 450MHz base station is needed for every six 1900MHz stations, although this varies depending on capacity. The lower frequency does not have any impact on voice quality, according to Pagotto. "The question of voice quality is not directly related to the frequency, it has to do with the design of the project," he said.