Brazil's awaited 5G tender yields billions in investment
ABC News
Brazil is holding its much-anticipated auction for build-out of the nation’s fifth-generation wireless network — with the open question of whether China’s Huawei telecommunications company eventually ill be involved despite U.S. opposition
RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil held its much-anticipated auction for build-out of the nation’s fifth-generation wireless network on Thursday, with the open question of whether China's Huawei telecommunications company will be involved.
The technology promises faster speeds, less lag when connecting to the network and the ability to connect more devices to the internet. But the ambitious auction also aimed to address the country’s profound digital inequalities, forcing winning bidders to build or improve wireless infrastructure in underserved areas.
The auction was not yet finished on Thursday, but had already yielded pledges for over 30 billion reals (over $5 billion) in investment from mobile phone operators such as Claro, Tim and Telefônica, the owner of Vivo.
Overall, the government expects the auction, which could continue into Friday, to bring in as much as 50 billion reals.
