SAO PAULO, Brazil-Although trunked radio regulations were handed down in May, Brazil’s trunking industry is still awaiting detailed definitions before moving forward with their strategic plans. The market, with two major competitors, Nextel and Metrophone, could change dramatically with the definition of the trunking regulations and the pending auction of Band C personal communications services (PCS) licenses.
In particular, the commercial trunked radio industry is still awaiting regulation definitions of a proposed numbering service. Currently, operators can only offer services to corporate users, but with the new rules, they can include consumers.
Anatel, Brazil’s telecom regulator, stated all trunking services will be identified through the use of the digits 77 and 78. The digits will be used in trunked radio subscriber numbers, used for interconnection with cellular and other networks. The final rules had not yet been released at press time.
In addition, rules for interconnection between trunking operators and cellular and fixed-line operators were finally released in August after a three-month delay.
Trunked radio operators are also eagerly awaiting the auction of PCS licenses. The auction is an opportunity for the companies to acquire, most likely as part of consortia, Band C licenses, and therefore, be able to offer national long-distance services. The operators currently depend on interconnection agreements for rendering nationwide services.
“That service will add to the international roaming that we offer today in 65 countries,” said Ubiratan Valade, commercial director of Nextel do Brazil.
Metrophone expects the publication of the final rules for the PCS license auction to determine its participation in the auction. “The model to be published by Anatel is what will define if we will act directly or through partnerships,” said Jo
