Brazil Approves Spectrum Allocation for Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Board of Directors of Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) approved a spectrum band allocation plan on July 2, laying the foundation for Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services in the country.

The allocation was incorporated into Brazil's 2025-2026 Biennial Frequency Band Allocation, Designation, and Distribution Plan (PDFF), with Anatel Alternate Board Member Nilo Pasquali serving as rapporteur and submitting the relevant proposal.

The approved proposal assigns mobile phone frequency bands—including 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 1,900/2,100 MHz, and 2,500 MHz—to D2D use on a secondary basis. Pasquali emphasized that satellite operators must always collaborate with terrestrial operators holding these bands when using the relevant spectrum.

The vote also established the subsequent discussion schedule for this issue: the Board will be responsible for determining the technical characteristics of the sub-bands used for D2D services. Such technical definitions are typically formulated by Anatel's technical departments, but due to the political importance of this issue, the highest decision-making body will intervene directly.

The Superintendence of Grants and Resources (Superintendência de Outorgas e Recursos à Prestação) has 90 days to submit a proposal containing technical specifications to the Board, an arrangement that takes effect simultaneously with the approval of the new PDFF.

During the deliberation, Anatel President Carlos Baigorri requested that the technical department expedite its work so that he could participate in the review of technical requirements. Baigorri's term ends in November.

The development of D2D in the global market has drawn attention. Since 2024, Anatel has established an experimental environment (regulatory sandbox) for testing D2D in Brazil. Nilo Pasquali noted that global discussions on this issue have made significant progress, and it is now timely to adopt a clearer approach.

Carlos Baigorri pointed out at this meeting that D2D has become a reality in markets such as the United States, Europe, Chile, and Peru, and emphasized Brazil's potential in this field. "We have become one of the leaders in this initiative. We are already the largest market for fixed broadband access via low-orbit constellations. With Brazil's geographic conditions and pent-up demand, we have the potential to also bring this connectivity to people's mobile phones."