HNS Communications Americas paid R$ 145.2 million (US $91.5 million) and was the first one to to win a satellite orbital position that would cover Brazil. The Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) on Aug. 30 auctioned the four satellite orbital positions. In total, companies paid R$ 254.4 million (US $160.12 million). HNS bought two positions and Star One two positions.
The bid’s largest goodwill was HNS in the first bib: 3,579.82% above the minimum bid. Then, Star One adquired the second and the third bid for R$ 37 million each (US $23.28 million), a goowill of 837.70%.
Anatel first announced the plans in the middle of July. The agency aims to expand the capacity of Brazilian telecommunications in the next five years, and — besides meeting current demands — Anatel wants to anticipate the sector’s needs driven by upcoming events such as the World Cup and the Olympics, among others projects.
Up to four new satellites will become operational in Brazil, occupying orbital positions in coordination or notification on behalf of Brazil to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Satellite orbital positions will be in the bands C, Ku and Ka within 12 existing positions. Each orbital position has a minimum price of R$ 3,945,844.10. The winning operators will have up to five years to launch operations.
Anatel has also established a limit of two orbital positions for the same company. The satellites must cover 100% of Brazilian territory and devote part of their ability to serve the Brazilian market. The exploration rights are granted for 15 years and can be renewed once. The same company may obtain rights to two licenses of the four bid.
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