Ericson Scorsim. Lawyer and Consultant in Regulatory Communications Law. Ph.D. in Law from the University of São Paulo (USP).

Anatel, the Brazilian Telecommunications Agency, is proposing the vacancy of band C (3.5 GHz frequency range) by satellite services in the discussion on the auction of 5G frequencies. Thus, the Auction Bid Notice draft proposes the vacancy of the frequency band from 3.625 MHz to 3.700 MHz. It also proposes to mitigate harmful interference problems in the signal reception of satellite service stations (FSS) operating in the 700 MHz to 4,200 MHz bands.

This frequency band is used for satellite television services, called TVRO for the KU band. Anatel has issued a memo recommending compensation related to the stations linked to foreign satellites. According to that document, the compensation’s objective is to enable the early cleaning of the frequency band, assuming the costs of readjustment of the ground stations operating in band C.

The entity that manages the 3.5 MHz band is the one that will promote the study of technical solutions to mitigate the problem of interference in the 3.6 to 3.7 MHz band. The controversy relates to the amount of compensation to be paid to the satellite operators. The calculation must check the number of stations receiving the satellite signals.

There is no national registry with this information. In sum, Anatel needed to expand the frequency range to ensure the provision of personal mobile services (5G), so it decided to use the frequency range of 3.625 MHz to 3.700 MHz. Theoretically, Anatel can order the allocation of frequencies based on public interest. However, any relocation costs must be fully reimbursed tothe companies affected by the frequency band change.

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